No, more like, See ya later! The day after Granny died I sat in my front room and read through her poem book. It's really like a journal of her life. Mommy called to say they'd like any of the grandchildren that would like, to read a poem at the funeral. I especially like the ones that have her daily chores, "to-do" lists, shopping lists etc. in them. She sure had some overwhelming periods in her life, I imagine. Caring for those boys, sick parents, and all that canning! She still took the time to sew up new curtains, or paint a chair a new color. I am my Granny's granddaughter! I actually spoke about her and showed her poems at an Enrichment I spoke at last spring about keeping journals.
I decided on a poem she wrote while on her mission in Hawaii. I can relate to seeing such beauty in nature where you just have to stop and take it in because your breath is taken away. I thought it was a good example of her writing talent, so I chose that one.
I was looking forward to the viewing on Thursday, January 12th. The Goulding's arrived, with little Sophie turning 10 that day! It was great to be with family and I was glad for my kids to see Granny. Towards the end of the evening I went over to her casket and noticed the kiss marks on her face, and her hair needed smoothing down! At one point a dozen great-grandchildren were crowded around loving on her. It would make Granny chuckle to see that. There was a video playing of her talking about a song "Lonely" she wrote while Grandpa was away in the army when she was first married. I loved hearing her voice talking about it. That Granny voice...
The funeral the next day was great. It sure was hard to have that casket closed for the last time. It's hard to say good-bye to such a wonderful Granny. Mommy and all of her siblings spoke. Granny had mentioned she wanted there to be humor at her funeral. I think they all did a great job, adding funny things my Granny would do. Sitting there I realized what a ripple effect she has made in her family. I, too love each holiday and like to do special things. I, too like to pull pranks on Jon and my kids on April Fools~ I do this because my mother did this, as did her mother etc.
I picked up some yellow roses for the casket~ they looked cheerful. It was neat to look down into the hole and see Grandpa's cement vault next door and Bart's on the other side, just dirt, since they didn't do cement when he died. JoAnna was great to pass around Cracker Jacks and licorice, we all munched away on a snack we've been served by Granny every Fourth of July I can remember. Afterwards we went over to JoAnna's for lunch. It was a nice day, beautiful weather so the kids could run around and play outside.
I think Granny would have really liked it all. I think she did.
