I went home this past weekend to attend the memorial service for my grandparents. I think this is one of the hardest things I've ever experienced. But there are many things I don't want to forget about this weekend.
* How hard it was to breath walking into Grandma & Grandpa's house and not see them sitting in their chairs in the living room.
* Standing with my cousin, Darren, by the living room window telling him that I wished Grandpa had made it a little longer so I could say good-bye. Darren told me to be glad I won't remember Grandpa that way. He was down to less than 100 pounds.
* The place in the mausoleum where Grandpa & Grandma's urns are. Grandma's box has a rose engraved in it. Grandpa's has a mountain scene.
* Crying with Mom in the aisle of the sanctuary. I'm so glad she was there.
* Hugging Nanny and wishing with all my heart that she'll live a long time.
* Singing How Great Thou Art and Great is Thy Faithfulness at their service.
* The church was packed.
* The letters that Pastor Brian read from people who could not attend the service. Grandma & Grandpa touched so many lives, both young and old.
* A few days before he passed away, Grandpa told his pastor that he just wanted to go be with Virginia and asked if that made him a selfish man.
* Sharing memories in Grandma & Grandpa's living room with Aaron, Uncle Bill, Dad, Sera, Uncle Mike, Uncle Guy, Ashley, Tanya, Aunt Laurie, and Aunt Linda Friday night after the service.
* The slide-show of Baby Island...that was really Vietnam. Poor Dad.
* Grandma didn't like pancakes; she liked waffles.
* Going through their house. Grandma had impeccable taste in everything.
* Uncle Mike telling me that Grandma's Bible could have no better home than mine as he handed it to me.
* Aaron got Grandpa's Bible.
* Karen's strength.
* Uncle Bill sharing about the theme of the pastor's message, which was faithfulness. Grandma & Grandpa were faithful. Faithful to God. Faithful to each other. Faithful to their kids and grandkids. Faithful to their friends. Faithful to their church. They taught their children right from wrong, who it turn taught their children. Their legacy is one of faithfulness.
* The cuckoo clock (which hasn't cuckooed in years) cuckooed right after Uncle Bill shared the above. At ten after eight.
* Walking through their house for the last time and finding it difficult to breath again.
* The smell of Dove soap in the downstairs bathroom.
* The smell of coffee upstairs.
* Cinnamon rolls and fruit for breakfast.
* Grandma was always 'just tickled pink' when we would visit.
* Grandpa gave good hugs. I just want one more.
* Sitting with Dad on the cushion-less couch at Garden Court and crying with him when we had a moment alone.
* Eating tuna fish sandwiches at the dining table with Sera, Aaron, Uncle Mike, Aunt Linda, Aunt Laurie, Dad and Darren after cleaning out the apartment at Garden Court. Girl scout cookies for dessert.
* Darren looks really good wearing Grandpa's hat.
* Actually pulling away from Grandma & Grandpa's house for the last time in the back seat of Aaron and Sera's car. Dad in his truck saying, 'it smells like cookies in here!'
* Burritos at Aaron & Sera's.
* Decaf coffee with them before bed.
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