Grandma's Funeral: The service

The funeral was held at the chapel near Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Their family had helped raise money and physically build that chapel.  My grandma and grandpa had lived in that house since my dad was 7--in 1956.  It was fitting that Grandma's funeral should be there.  The funeral was beautiful--I cried through the entire thing.  I think by the end of the service my purse was filled with tissues that I had used up.  Matt was almost as bad and we weren't the only ones.  I knew grandma was an amazing woman, but after hearing all of her kids speak about her, I had a renewed amazement at what a wonderful mother she was.  I left the funeral with a desire to be a better mother, to devote my time to serving my family and less time to all the other things that take me away from being the best mom I can be.

 My grandpa and his sister Nial.  Grandpa stayed right by Grandma's coffin the entire viewing and funeral.  He loved her so much and was completely devoted to her.  They had an amazing marriage--married at 17 and raising 5 kids in a 2 bedroom house.  They added on over the years, but my dad told me that at one point Grandma and Grandpa slept in the living room because the 4 boys shared one bedroom and Annette had the other bedroom.  I thought of all the times I have complained about places I lived and I never had to sleep in my own living room--or have 4 of my kids share one small bedroom.  Grandma and Grandpa were always together--always doing everything together.  Grandma had been sick for at least 20 years--when I was a freshman in college they didn't think she was going to live much longer, but she took care of grandpa despite everything she suffered.  She could have easily said it was too much--but she never did.   

 Alex and his favorite person in the world--Gavin.

 Caroline was in heaven with all the babies to hold.

My cousin Merilee and I were the photographers

 My cousin Aaron and Shanna (and Clara!)

My grandpa with his children--Jeff, Gary, Grandpa, Mike, Annette, Kelly and below with their spouses.

My Grandpa Johnson died when I was 12, My Great Grandma Olsen died just after I graduated from College in 1996 and my Great Grandma Allen died a couple of years before that.  I have been blessed to have my grandparents for such a long time.  I knew they were getting old and I knew they wouldn't live forever, but I wanted them to!  

The funeral was definitely sad--heartbreaking to know that Grandma wasn't around anymore, but we were sad for our loss of having her on Earth.  We know that we will see her again and she is with our Savior and those who have gone before her--Her parents and siblings that have already passed, my baby Rees, and many others that we love.  I'm so thankful for knowing that I can see her again, and give her a hug and tell her once again how much I love her.  My uncle Jeff talked about death being a birth into the next life and I know that while it is sad for us, it is a wonderful, happy time for her.  And I know that she is still aware of us and her spirit is still with us.  Because of the Savior's redeeming sacrifice we can all be with her again.