There was a table of photos of all the family. She had a stillborn son, 4 daughters, 13 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way. It's always amazing to see how a family expands out of two people like this. (Though technically it didn't start with them, but you know what I mean.)
We gathered as an extended family for a prayer and final goodbyes in the room with the coffin right before the funeral service began. My cousin's husband gave an outstanding prayer that started me crying. I love this picture of my mom and her sisters saying their final goodbye.
The funeral service was quite good and was full of sweet memories of grandma. The great grandchildren did a heart-warming job singing "I Am A Child of God" and I so wish I had a picture of video of that, but I didn't take any.
My mom had recruited me to lead the closing hymn and told me it was "an honor" but I was stressed about it. I have no music skills whatsoever, so though I knew the song was in 3/4 time and that that meant moving my arm in a triangle-type movement I still botched it royally. The organist played the song so slowly that it was hard to know what to do at all, so I kept moving my arm and trying not to laugh. I was afraid if I made eye contact with anyone that I fall into a fit of giggles.
The scene at the cemetery was quite touching with all our family there and the great-grandkids running around together. It wasn't sad at all.
It was a beautiful, though cold day so our time at the cemetery was a chilly affair. Randy and Landon were pall bearers along with my cousins (Adam and others were pall bearers at the mortuary). I think it was an interesting thing for Landon to be a part of, he said, "She was very light, they probably didn't need me or one other guy."
The great-grandkids all got to choose two flowers from the many arrangements at the grave and they thought that was the greatest thing ever (except for Landon and maybe Austin). The girls took it seriously and then carried the flowers around with pride. I hope it helps them remember the day.
My mom (left) and her 3 sisters.
Adam had gone up during the funeral to share memories of grandma (Lori and I didn't) and had been quite funny, so we were complimenting him about it and he ended up doing one of his comedic bragging bits. Also, their reviews of my abysmal music leading are now documented forever.
After the funeral we all went back to the church for a lunch put on by the women in my grandma's ward. The food was surprisingly good, and the women were very nice. My grandma hadn't actually gone to church in the last few years because of her illness, so this seemed extra nice.
This is a photo of all the great-grandchildren except for one (who was home with a babysitter).
This is a photo of all of the grandchildren except for Andrew who was home with a babysitter. There were multiple cameras going so everyone is looking somewhere else.
As we were leaving the luncheon I scanned the room (out of habit) looking for grandma because I wanted to make sure we said goodbye before leaving, I guess I'm going to have to get used to her not being there.
