In our family and in the LDS culture, funerals are not completely sad. They are reunions. Gathering times. A celebration of life and renewal of our testimony and faith in Jesus Christ and of the ressurection He makes possible for all of us.
After the last song at the graveside there was a sweet, peaceful, reverent solemness that nobody wanted to break with talking, or even moving. I stood riveted, sobered, full of respect and awe. I knew clearly that the best thing I could do to honor this great man was to love his grandchildren within my circle of influence.
In January my brother found out his wife's father had cancer. He died a month after being diagnosed, just short of his 70th birthday. If you read "Figtree Farm" blog (link on the right, open to public)--Jen writes her thoughts and feelings as her family said good-bye to a man without guile. A kind, wise, loving, good man. I am glad we went to represent the rest of the Babcocks and pay tribute to Russ Scoville. They are the kind of family who believe friends are family and in-laws are family, too.
We left super early--not knowing what traffic would be like. Route 66 was smooth sailing, and we got there very, very early. Found a drugstore with 1/2 off Valentine candy, and then a roadside flea market. Luanna bought 3 packs of these plastic ropes as a super gift for nieces. We thought they were the perfect Grandma Jane gift--something she would have thought of for the girls. (Jen--the book of old photos is another gift. A great buy from flea market, too. They were too cool, and thought maybe the girls could write stories or use them for art projects, cut them up, collage, etc. Also house book in cream of wheat bag--hope you found it?!)
We left our husbands at home with busy kids. It is hard to go alone to events. Perfect to go with a sister. Can you tell which photo I said, "Think of Bob"!?
Alice is photogenic. Every picture of her looks great. Great hair. Healthy. Young. Beautiful. This is taken just down the hill of their cabin as she biked over to her grandmas house.
Alice's dad. He got called Ken once at the church. Someone who knows our mom and dad. He got up and read some remarks of tribute. His seriousness and control of emotion reminded me of Dad-Ken.
Alice's mom. She was taking pictures of everyone so somebody needed to take one of her.
The surviving siblings, minus one sister. Susan looks like Jen will in 30+ years! When this aunt walked up to the church podium for opening prayer the resemblance was striking! Soft-mannered, gentle, delicate, super-loving and friendly. I really liked talking to her. She told me how much they appreciate John and we talked about the marriage assimiliation--how men marry into their wife's family, become one of them in so many ways.
The cabin. Looks down over a nice lake. Surrounded by mowed fields and a perfect view of Blue Ridge Mountains. Beautiful stars at night. Super-nice wide wood plank floors. Nice layout inside. Warm stove. I enjoyed the time we took to talk and be with family.
