Kylie May and Her Great Grandma's Funeral Day 240

Today was the day we all said goodbye.   The overwhelming mood, however, was one of celebration rather than sorrow.  Not celebrating the loss, but rather the life that Nat's grandma lived.  A formal Episcopalian church service, an honor guard playing of "Taps", and then watching Grandma Jo lowered into the ground, alongside her late husband Louis.  It all took place just the way Nat's grandma wanted (except for some minor details), and I am thankful Kylie and I got to be here with Nat as it happened.  There is one thing that we came to appreciate today (not for the first time, but it was accentuated this morning).  The pure and innocent soul of a child. Kylie did her best to quietly sit through the hour long funeral service, but she just has so much to say, do, and explore.  Even in the somber moments of a funeral, though, it is so hard not to smile and laugh at Kylie's concentrated, jabbering, cooing, spitting, screeching, laughing, smiling,  scrapping, and clapping.  And it wasn't just me.  The whole gang found themselves smirking and chuckling at Kylie's genuine, yet ill timed, noises, during the "pin drop" silent moments of the service.  I'm not sure if you can watch your own funeral, but if you can, I would bet that Grandma Jo was smiling right along with the rest of us.  It really is no wonder that God says we should all be more like small children.

Unfortunately, Kylie missed the post grave site reception/lunch.  As usual, she checked formalities at the door, and let us know, loud and clear, that she was ready for a nap. She was thankful we obliged.  After a nice nap, we took a very smiley Kylie, and strolled around Ashland, toured Grandma's old house, visited a favorite shop from Nat's childhood (where we bought Kylie a little treasure to commemorate the occasion), and had some fun playtime in Lithia Park.  I think most of the family realized that there may not be many Ashland visits in the foreseeable future, so we tried to wring out every last drop the town had to offer.  During park time, our teeny traveler, plopped down on an empty pizza box (the grass was wet) and enjoyed all the fall colors (they are absolutely stunning), people watching, and playing frisbee with the big boys (Gene, Graham, Tim, and I).

A nostalgic walk home (our hotel home that is) and one more nap set the stage for a big family dinner at Aunt Sues.  Despite obvious exhaustion, the little party animal loaded herself with smiles, laughs, hugs, and kisses as she was passed from one person to the next.  As all the a"dull"ts sat and ate, visited, and poured over Grandma Jo's old photo albums, Kylie simply played and babbled with whomever happened to scoop her up.  She has such a loving and easy going personality.   

In reflecting on today, I am thankful. Thankful that Grandma Jo led such a long, healthy, productive life.  Thankful that we got to be here today. Thankful that miss Kylie May got to meet and take pictures with her great grandma (not many kids have that opportunity...even if she will never remember).  Thankful that she has two other great grandparents that shower her with love, and thankful for the rest of the affection and support she gets from her aunties, uncles, grandmas and grandpas.

more to come soon,

Craig