Memaw and Papaw's Funeral

Shortly after my Papaw's birthday, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.  It was not shocking news because he had been declining for quite some time.  I was undecided about flying home to attend his funeral but after a lot of sincere consideration, we scheduled a flight for me to go back to Oklahoma for a few days.  Right after my plane landed, my parents picked me up and took me to see Memaw who had taken a turn for the worse and was also in rapidly declining health.  I had the opportunity to hold her hand and talk to her.  She was "asleep" but I felt she heard me tell her my goodbyes.  The next morning, we went back over and she was much worse.  We were only there an hour or so and she started taking her last breaths.  All the family that was there at the time, gathered in her room and watched as her spirit left mortality.  She was given precious Priesthood blessings and told to go and be with her husband and that he was waiting for her.

 Family quickly made arrangements to have a double funeral that next morning.  We ordered a beautiful spray and made lots of phone calls.  More family flew in and it was very hectic. 

 It could not have been more perfect to have them leave this life so close together and have very little time apart from one another.  Each of their lives were represented in creative ways, especially though music.  Papaw was honored for his service in the Navy and Uncle Tom accepted the flag.

I am so grateful that I could make the trip.  It was a whirlwind and I have included more personal experiences from this event in another journal.  Most of the grandkids were able to attend and some of us had not seen each other in over a decade.  The relationships we have were strengthened and memories were shared.  We even played progressive gin and had root beer floats as a tradition we shared with Memaw and Papaw.  I miss them, but I have also felt their love around me.