Part 2- Funeral

So, to continue my week-end adventure, we get to my brother's house close to 9:30 on Friday night. Avery was a pill, and continued to be one the entire week-end! She screamed and cried at everyone who even looked at her. My SIL, who is deemed "the baby whisperer" didn't even cut it. She only wanted me. I was so frustrated with her! I was really excited to have her meet the family now that she is a bigger girl, and she wouldn't even go to any of them. My dad managed to woo her for a bit, and she ended up falling asleep on him, so they had a nice nap together. But once she woke up, she was yelling like a banshee again!

Logan on the other hand, didn't take long to warm up, and before I knew it he was running around playing with his cousins, having a grand old time!

The funeral was Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. Since the viewing was cancelled the night before, a lot more people came through before the funeral. We didn't get the actual funeral started until almost 11:45! My aunts did a really nice job telling the life sketch, and there were some musical numbers, and my dad spoke about my grandpa being his hero. That made me teary. My dad always does a good job giving talks I think.

On a side note, I felt really bad for my parents this week-end. My dad had worked really hard all last year to earn a trip to the Bahamas for work. They left Sat. Feb 2 to go to the Cove Atlantis.Their trip was to last a week. They were to fly back home the next Saturday, the 9th. My grandpa passed away early in the morning of Tuesday the 5th. I know that the passing of a loved one never comes at a convenient time, but I was really hoping that he would hold on until my parents got back from their trip. My aunts and uncle went ahead and scheduled the funeral for Saturday, knowing that my parents were out of the country, and making the assumption that they could get back easily. It wasn't easy for them to arrange to leave their trip early. I feel bad that besides the grief that came with the news, it was an added stress and burden for them to have to figure out how to arrange to get home earlier than planned.I wish it could have worked out to let them stay for the full trip, and have the funeral a few days later. But oh well. They were able to make a flight home, where they got in about midnight Thursday night, and immediately hopped in their car to drive to Cedar City to meet my brother and his family, and then carpool with them to IF. They weren't able to get much sleep over the course of about 3 days.I was so sad for them, even if it was nice to see them.

My grandpa served in World War II. He was a sniper, I knew that growing up, but he rarely talked about it. I remember a few times where he would show us his "treasures" that he got while in Germany...a hand carved wooden box, a gold ring, coins, medals, etc. A lot of things I think he got from pilfering abandoned buildings. I know he wasn't too proud of that fact.I am sure the memories of the war haunted him throughout his life. I am sure he has told bits and pieces to various kids and grandkids, but never the whole story to anyone. We kept trying to get him to write his "memoirs", "life story" etc, or at least get stuff on videotape. I don't think he ever did. He griped and complained about it everytime it was mentioned. It was just this past week-end that I heard for the first time (at least that I remember) that he served in the 63rd infantry division. Also known as the "Blood and Fire" division. He helped liberate concentration camps.I am truly proud of my grandpa. I wish I had known these things about him sooner.He was very humble, though, which is why he never made a big deal about his service in the war.What a hero he was to many people, and my dad reiterated that in his talk...that he was my dad's hero. My dad was born after my grandpa had been drafted. I think he saw my dad when he was about 2 months old or so, and then not again until the war was over, and my dad was over 2 years old. My dad has memories of walking through the streets of Salt Lake City following his dad, in uniform, dragging a duffle bag when he got home. My dad has always had memories of things from when he was really little! That was our favorite thing when we were young... to have my dad tell us stories about when he was a little boy.

They did have military rites at the gravesite, with a 21 gun salute. They presented the flag they had on the coffin to my dad, since he was the oldest child. I know that meant a lot to my dad.

I went with my sister to the cemetary, and left Tony and the kids back at the church. Logan fell asleep at the end of the funeral, and was sleeping on the couch in the foyer. It was cold and snowy outside too, so it was better to leave them inside.

After the funeral and luncheon, we went back to my brother's house to relax for a bit. My long-time (since we were 1 year old!) friend Heidi happened to be heading back to SLC from Rexburg, and was able to stop by for a short visit. It was so nice to see her, if only for a few minutes. After that, we headed up to Rexburg to meet my sister and her family at Bahio's for dinner. Yum. I love that place. I wish they had one here. Then we spent the night at her house in St. Anthony. Logan had so much fun playing with his cousin Brynn. She is only 4 months older than him, so they get
along really well. I wish we could see them more often.

Sunday was the Rexburg Temple dedication, so I stayed and watched my niece and nephew while my sister and BIL went to their session. Tony wasn't feeling well, so he took a 3 hour nap while I entertained children, and made lunch. After lunch,and after they got back, we all went back down to my brother's house to visit a bit more with my parents and other brother before they left to drive back to Cedar City. My mom passed out our souvenirs from their trip, and some Valentine's for the kids. Tony decided we should also head out Sunday evening to avoid some bad weather that was expected across Wyoming. We got on the road around 6 p.m. to head back.