Blessing in the sadness

 As I told you yesterday, my sisters and I were so happy to be with my Dad when he passed.  We were happy we were able to keep him home and take care of him those last few days.
I have some random photos of the week that followed to share with you.

The visitation was really a wonderful time.  So many people came, some that I hadn't seen for some time.  A girl I graduated from high school with came and I hadn't seen her since that time!  Each person who took time to come was greatly appreciated.
It was quite crowded for much of the time, but at one point Bob told me to look across the room.  Alaina had seen Ann sitting down and went to sit with her, which made Ann so happy.  :)

The next day we had a packaged delivered and it was this pretty wind chime from the girls I work with.  Bob put it up right away, and now when I hear the chimes, I think of my Dad.

It's a memorial wind chime, with this hanging from it.

We got such pretty flowers, including this one from my dear friend Jenny, of I'm Having a Thought Here.  A week later, they are still on my table looking pretty!

Our small group from church sent this cheerful arrangement and brought us a lovely meal.

We got so many cards, including some from blog friends.  Each one was appreciated.

Andy and Nikki came from Kentucky and were here for 4 days.  It was good to spend time with them.

Here's Laura and Aaron and family.  Alaina and Ruby had a hard time with all this.  They loved their great grandpa and this is really the first loss they've had to deal with. They were so good at the Funeral and visitation.

I didn't have time to take pictures, so I'm afraid I don't have any of Heather, Andrew and Cassie.  Cassie didn't come to the funeral, but she was at the visitation.  My Dad dearly loved those 3 great granddaughters!

The funeral was so nice, with songs my Dad had chosen.  Bob spoke, telling some memories and funny stories of Dad.  (There are lots of them!)  He talked about what he meant to our family and talked about Dad's wishes to see each person who was at the funeral, in heaven.  Dad's Pastor also gave a great message. The service ended with the casket going out to the song "I'll Fly Away".

Through it all, we felt very loved by our heavenly Father, and by our friends and family here.  I miss Dad, but surely couldn't wish him back.

Last Tuesday, I had a call from Ann's daughter that she had fallen and broken her arm. It's her right arm, and you may remember me talking about how she loves bowling.
She was moving into an Assisted Living Place on Monday.  This is very hard for her, as she is always busy doing something.  She's had so much loss in the last two weeks and this is very hard for her.  Until the move, her kids have been staying with her all the time. 

I stopped with Alaina and Ruby on Saturday. She was so happy to see the girls and I promised her they would be coming to see her at her new place too.
Please pray for a good adjustment for her.
Thank you for your prayers for my family and I!