Wednesday

Yesterday, after hearing the news of my granddaddy's death (see Tuesday's post) I went on with my plans for the day. I went for my morning walk and then headed to the plant nursery. I finally got the landscaping done that I talked about here and I needed to get some annuals planted. As usual I bought far more than I should have when you consider the work involved. The landscapers had put in a lot of mulch and I removed some of that to mulch around the trees in the front yard. I set out a lot of flowers. The hardest part (because the soil is quite easy to dig in) is watering them afterwards. I found out that in the process of removing the old bushes some damage occurred to the sprinkler system. The sprinklers are no longer watering my flower beds. So for the time being I'm going to have to water them by hand. Ughh!! My daughter, B, was a big help with the planting and watering. There is still a lot to do! But, oh, I am so sore today.

Our new furniture was delivered and hopefully somebody is coming today to haul away the old sofa. Last night, I went to Lowe's to buy a new chest freezer (one of the smaller models). My son's birthday is coming up and he wants an ice cream cake. My freezer is always so full that this would not be possible without the new purchase. I buy a lot of entrees, etc from Schwann's. I've wanted to try their frozen pizzas but didn't have the room. Also, we never have the room for ice cream. That's just wrong, folks! We put the freezer in the garage and it was cold in only a few hours. I am looking forward to filling it up.

Today, I am at work. But I'll be off for the next few days with the funeral and my scheduled off time. I have some posts worked up and I'm going to try and post them this weekend.

Tuesday

I had a post already to go for today. But just after 6am this morning my father called to let me know that my granddaddy had passed away during the night. He was 91. His health has been poor for the last few months and he has been on Hospice so this wasn't unexpected. My parents drove in this afternoon and my brother flew in tonite. We just went through all this with my other grandfather just a few months ago. Pray for my family as there is a lot of unrest between my dad's brother's and my graddaddy's wife of only 9 years.

Funeral

Well, I got through several days of visiting family and the funeral. It was a very draining time emotionally. However, it is good to see so many family members. I got through my "solo" at the cemetary, also. Thank you to my cousin Nita for standing by me during the solo and for all the encouraging words.

My grandfather was buried with military honors and I am thankful for the service people who drove over 70 miles to honor him at the funeral.

I enjoyed spending time with my brother and his family. Our children do not get to see each other often and enjoyed the visit.

Over 200 people attended either visitaion or the funeral. It makes my heart swell to know that my grandfather was loved by so many people. However, his leaving leaves a empty place in my heart.

Thank you to everyone who left comments or called or remembered us in their prayers.

Loss

Early yesterday morning my grandfather passed away. He was 80 years old and had a full life including serving in WW II. He goes on to be with his wife of 60 years who passed away in July of 2005. As this was unexpected, it is still not accepted. I can not quite believe he is really gone. When my grandmother died she had been sick for many months and although her passing was not easy, there was time to say goodbye and begin to prepare. My mother is one of their 4 children, I am one of 10 grandchildren, great-grandchildren numbered over 15. Many of us gathered yesterday at the family home to begin the mourning process. He will be buried on Saturday with military honors.

Many years ago when I was in high school my Papa (as my grandfather is known to me) asked me to play the trumpet at his funeral. At the time it seemed an easy enough thing to agree to. His funeral was an unreal event in the far distant future. Now, I find myself wondering how I will keep this promise. I have not played regularly in over 10 years and although like riding a bicycle you do not forget how, I am very nervous about playing in front of anyone. But it is what he wanted, I cannot disapoint him now. The song I believe I will play is "Amazing Grace".

My mother has lost both her parents now and I know these next few days will be very stressful for her. I think that reality will not set in for me until later. The first time I plan to go for a visit and realize there isn't anyone there. My last visit was made on November 10 and I found my Papa in good spirits, working in the yard, and enjoying his new cat. We ate lunch together and he fussed over my children. I hugged him goodbye before we parted in what would be the last time.

Finality

Yesterday morning a good friend of ours passed away. As is always the case when someone young dies or if the death is sudden and unexpected there is a lot of shock and disbelief. There are many questions and very few will find answers.

My husband met this friend while in college and after we were all married we became good friends. We went on several vacations together and ate out quite frequently. Of course relationships change when children come along (both ours and later, theirs) but we have remained friends for over 10 years. We attended each other's weddings and now 3 of us must attend a funeral together.

I am struck anew with the finality. The questions come quickly, "Is it so?", "How can this be." Indeed, "Lord, why?" But I know the answers I seek will not be found this way. God promises us victory over death if we accept His Son as our one and only Savior. Jesus died so that we could have eternal life. Please do not put off planning for your eternal future. Please do not fail to plan for those loved ones you leave behind.


"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5:13-16