The weekend started by driving back up to Unionville on Friday. Helping prepare for the funeral home on Saturday and the funeral on Sundays. We looked at hundreds of pictures. Each with their own story. A few observations... Grandpa looked the same in almost every picture. Yes you could tell he was aging, but basically looked the same. My dad looks just like grandpa.
Saturday was a long day at the funeral home and then we buried grandpa afterwards - even harder. Watching everyone say goodbye and cry and mourn was so hard. I think it's especially hard to watch your own dad cry. But such a powerful thing as well. It reminds me that he's human. I think the hardest part was watching Karle and Kahle breakdown and embrace dad. It was pure emotion and love and respect. We then all gathered at dad's for dinner and fellowship.
And not how I wanted to celebrate my birthday, but on the other hand I was surrounded by family and friends for the entire day celebrating one of the greatest men I've ever known.
Sunday we started the day with pancakes at dad's. I remember once grandpa telling me that as a kid he would have pears on his pancakes. Not sure why I remember that small detail, but I thought of tha as I put strawberries on me. Then to the funeral at St. Paul we all went. It was amazing to see all the people that grandpa knew and the lives he touched. A great sermon by the pastor and great songs (even though I'm not sure I sang any words) and a tasty luncheon to follow.
The girls did great through it all and went with the flow, despite short or little naps and being help by lots of new people.
We stayed Sunday night to hang out with dad and help him clean up. I'm not sure it has quite sunk in that he's gone and I'm sure I will have to catch myself someday from asking "how's grandpas doing?" And I hope when I do, he will answer, "better than ever in heaven." Love you grandpa and will always remember you!
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