What a Day, What a Family

 The sky was gray, the air cold and damp, but it did not rain on our ceremonies!


Up early at the hotel, or to travel from home, we converged on the Funeral Chapel in Molalla at 9:30 this morning.  Many of us, young children included, took the opportunity to see our mother, grandmother, great grandmother one last time.  


Then we took her to Adams Cemetery to lie next to Dad and to say our goodbyes.


Back at the chapel we were joined by other family members and friends of Mom's, Dad's and ours from childhood days.

We are Mom's children, all together for this celebratory day.

We shared laughter and tears at the memorial service.


And then we all went to the party.  Actually Mom wanted a picnic, but it is November, so the venue had to be in doors.  We visited with so many old friends and aunts and uncles and cousins and finally with each other as the crowd dwindled down to just us.

This isn't all of us. My brother Don's kids live far away, and brother Henry's son is stationed in Colorado as a new member of special forces.  Ilene's family had already left for home.  But this is a bunch of us, Mom's descendants, spending time enjoying each other.


It was a day for remembering, honoring, hugging, and expressing love.


It was a beautiful day.