I just wanted to write down some of my thoughts about my Grandpa's recent funeral. He passed away July 25 sometime in the morning. He had had a rough year and he went peacefully so we were all happy he finally got to go. When I intially heard about it I didn't thing I would be able to go to the funeral but my husband looked at his schedule and figured with a little help from our friends I could fly to the funeral. Yeah Emergency medicine month! So thanks to my wonderful willing loving husband and three wonderful friends Jocelyn Heidi and Kristy I hopped on a plane and went. The funeral was a beautiful culmination of his life. He was such a sweet and gentle man.
One thing that stood out to me the most was actually my parents. I watched my dad teary eyed as they dedicated and closed the casket and I thought about all the service he and my mom had given to grandpa these past years. My Grandpa had been in a nursing home in Logan and my mom went and saw him every day. Every sunday and any family gathering my dad went and got him in the van. I never heard either of them complain and they never skipped out on him. Even when things were crazy and lots of family was in town my mom would slip out and say I have to go see dad. When I went to see Grandpa he would always talk about how special my mom was. My parents were such a perfect example of service and love. I am so proud of them and proud to be their daughter.
After the funeral in Logan we loaded Grandpa up in my parents van for one last drive to Blanding Utah where he was buried by my Grandma. We had a memorial service in Blanding as well and that was such a neat service. People from Blanding and Colorado came and shared memories. My other Grandparents ( my dad's parents) were also at the memorial service and Grandma Roper even shared a memory she had of Grandpa. I learned a lot about Grandpa and I thought it was too bad I learned so many neat things now that he is gone. One of the best parts of the service was the burial. He had a military burial because he served in world war two. They played taps and then they folded the flag that was drapped over his coffin. Then one soldier marched over to the row of chairs where my mom and her sisters were sitting and handed the flag to my mom and said " I present this flag to you in honor of your loved ones service to his country." I wondered if my uncle had told him to to give the flag to my mom or if it was just chance that the soldier had handed it to her but it was perfect how it all went. I am so grateful for the summer I lived in Blanding and had the opportunity to spend so much time with my Grandpa and Grandma Young. I cherish those memories and consider them a special gift.
The whole time in Blanding with my parents was so fun for me. I was the only one of my four siblings who could go and I truly enjoyed the time to just be with my parents. I never enjoyed the seven hour drive to and from Blanding more then I did this time. In fact this was probably the first time I even enjoyed it at all. But after living in Ohio and being away from it for so long it is really amazing scenery and I just had a lot to think about. On Sunday we walked around temple square before my flight left and once again I just loved the laid back time with my mom and dad. The whole trip was really wonderful for me in so many ways. I learned a lot about my family, about myself, and my testimony of the gospel was truly strengthened.
When I got home the kids informed me they had a great time playing at friends houses and they had a really fun time with Dad. Aaron cried and cried when Chris left for work on Monday and It took me at least 15 mintues to distract him enough to calm down. I am so grateful for a wonderful husband who can work insane hours but can also hold down the fort while I'm gone and so willingly made a way for me to go.
