Sunday Scrapbook: Moments from the Week

 

What a week we had. We knew, last weekend, that we were at the end of Dad’s life. Ryan was so gracious to help me document it to the fullest, and though those are pictures that we will just keep for ourselves, I am so thankful we have each one of them.

                Last Sunday was Dad’s last birthday here on this earth. It had been his goal to make it to 94, and he did. Mom sang to him, described his gifts to him, and we had some cake (and pizza) in his honor. He hated pizza, so that part might not have been a great tribute. Anyway. It was a hard but good Sunday. I spent the whole day there in his room with him, playing music, reading Scripture, and talking to him.

                Monday morning, Dad took his last breath just after 4 a.m. Ryan came immediately to be with me and we stayed a while, and then we came home so I could get some true sleep for the first time in a couple of days. We had our meeting with the funeral home that afternoon, and it brought back such memories of our meetings for Allen and Nita several years ago.

                I ran by staff meeting on Tuesday – not for the whole meeting, but just for a bit to see my friends. Turns out they thought they might see me, so they got me coffee! Wasn’t that so sweet? I was able to take it with me to the salon for my 3-hour overhaul. It was amazing.

                Ryan and I decided to teach our midweek groups this week, just to have a moment of normalcy. When I came back to my office after teaching, these two beautiful bouquets were sitting on my desk. Oh how I love them! My people know me well.

                I decided to run to the church where the funeral would be held so I could set up some pictures and such. On my way home, I felt like having some ice cream, so I stopped at Dairy Queen and got Dad’s favorite Blizzard: Oreo!

                Friday was Dad’s visitation and funeral in their home county. The church was so kind and gracious to us, and we appreciated it. The funeral home had done a magnificent job making Dad look like the Dad we remembered, and we were so grateful. It was a joy to see so many friends, and we felt like the service went well. It was a family effort, and I think Dad would have enjoyed it.

                Yesterday we had a visitation at Swiss Village so Mom’s friends who have become her neighbors could spend some time with her. My favorite part was watching her get to sit and enjoy the picture slide show and talk about the memories with her friends! And then I came home and put my sore feet up!