2017 Week 42: Goodbyes

 Last Sunday, the 17th of October, was a day of love and tears. There were two family gatherings and two goodbyes.

There was an early breakfast at Grace Village. My four brothers were together with Mother, probably for the last time. Lynn (69), in the later stages of liver disease and other complications, got his desire to see Mother one more time. His children were driving the parents from Pennsylvania to Nevada, at least a four-day journey. 

Mother and Lynn in front; Ivan, Alan, and Aldo in back

Aldo and Alice flew in the day before from Denver for Sharon's memorial in the afternoon.  

I don't know who to credit for these photos, but am so grateful for a glimpse into that rare and precious reunion.

Philip, Kathy, Mary, Lynn, Mother in front. Aldo, Alice, Kim, Ivan and Alan in back

We drove up in the afternoon. Kayla and Rebecca  rode with us. 

A short siesta while we wait for Mother to get back from church.

The rest of Leah's family arrived soon after. It was so comforting to have most of our family there. 

Sharon was a favorite aunt. 

Stephan arrived straight from Michigan where he'd been carving pumpkins. Sam's family came in time for the service at 4:00. But this was the only family grouping I managed to capture.

Jimmy, Leah, Skye, Kayla, Rebecca

It was a long day for Rebecca, but she was so good. 

Top right: "Come play with me, abuela."
Bottom right: "I'm bored." (Photo credit Leah)
Abuelo trying his hand at a fancy do. Rebecca and Pearl being so patient.

I love this memory of Mother, Alan, and Pablo. 

Alan was alone. Sharon's boys and siblings somehow shied away from the front row reserved for closest family. Mother made her way to the front and joined her youngest son. He was the one who spent the most years at home as an "only child."

Pablo Coria plays beautifully, like his father before him--all dear friends from Argentina. Michael said that in his mind he was hearing the words of the hymns as from Sharon's perpective.

Waiting to hear from Sharon while listening to beautiful piano music.

We gathered to say goodbye to Sharon, but it was she who spoke to us. When the end was near, Sharon asked to speak with the pastor in private and told him what she wanted to say to those she knew would be at her memorial. He recorded the conversation and then included her words verbatim in his talk. Sharon loved animals. She spoke directly to her dear friends from the dog park who would never have stepped foot in a church. She told them how much she loved them and longed to see them in eternity. She wanted to go ahead and help prepare a place for them in heaven. 

During the meal after, we got to meet and talk to many. I love seeing these cousins together.

Jimmy, Skye, Malachi.

Lovely mother-daughter and handsome photo-bomber, Elijah 

The Western-bound travelers posted photos each day of their progress. They made it safely Tuesday!

Now for the rest of our week.

Monday mornings are a bit rough for me: get up early; 40 minute drive; on my feet teaching for four hours. After that I am hungry and tired. It is a treat when friend Julia (Moriah's mom) meets me for lunch right after. Not long ago she had an accident. As she put it, she prayed for God to redeem the situation. Here she is showing off her new wheels.

After a refreshing nap, I went to watch Rebecca in her dance class. It was Halloween costume dress-up day.

In our third watercolor class: we learned about the color wheel; how the colors interact with each other; we practiced layering "washes"; and we made cards.

 ALL week Michael was working on cutting wood. He chopped, moved and stacked. The weather was beautiful, perfect.

 He felled a couple more dead trees, one was huge.

Stephan came  and hauled away as many logs as the trailer could bear. He has two or three more loads to pick up. These are destined to become part of the timber-frame home he is working toward.

Friday after a long week, we went for perhaps our last tandem date of the season. The mild weather cannot last much longer.