Saying Goodbye

The days following were filled with activity.  Lance and his Dad and his siblings were amazing.  They were so strong and such a great team making decisions and arrangements.  At 34 years old you don't expect to be writing your Mom's obituary, calling and telling people the news, picking things out, and working on a talk and grave dedication.

Things started pouring in almost immediately- phone calls, emails, texts, messages, flowers, and tons of food.  There were tears but there was also sharing of happy memories.  The kids were pleased to be reunited with cousins and we even had a beautiful night watching fireworks as a family at Tyler's house on Pioneer Day. 

The line at the viewing wrapped around and around the building.  Michelle and Hattie Wadsworth even drove down from Idaho to be there which was so sweet.  There were hugs from the Wirthlin's and Wilkinson's there too who both also did much to support us throughout these days.  Lance was even able to grab a quick lunch one day with his good friends from growing up Wes Boyack and Joe Gardner.  And again the emails and calls and more from those who couldn't be around us in person were such encouragement as well.

Kimberley, Kirsten, and I had found matching Hawaii looking dresses for all the girl cousins to wear.  The little boys all had suits and boutonnieres and were honorary pallbearers.  Tyler, Lance, and Dave all spoke at the funeral and did a beautiful job.  Again, I'm not sure how Lance was able to have to composure to write and give such a touching talk.  I said the opening prayer.  Kirsten played the piano and Kimberley conducted the grandkids in "I Often Go Walking".  It was very sweet.  Grandma Whitney flew in the day of the funeral and helped with Zuri which was such a blessing- more on that in a later post.  The entire Chapel and overflow were full of people.

Lance dedicated the grave and then we all released balloons to Grandma up in Heaven.  The balloons headed straight for the Mountains which seemed fitting.  Some have said that they will pretend that one also made its way to the Big Island.  We've decided as a family that we will call the cemetery "Grandma's Park" from now on as it does seem more like a park with all of the flat markers.  After the dedication the Relief Society had a nice lunch set up for extended family back at the Church.  We felt much love that day as well.

The next day we all decided to go up to Silver Lake and walk, fish, and have a little picnic around the lake.  It was nice and peaceful to be all together up in the Mountains that Grandma loved.  We spent Saturday and Sunday morning going through some things and preparing to head back to Las Vegas.