Monday, September 08, 2008

Memorial Service/My Family

We had a viewing on Wednesday and a service on Thursday for my Gramps. My Gramps was a frogman in WWII. He was extremely proud of his country, his favorite holiday was the 4th of July. He loved books about American history and anything that had to do with our Irish family history. Our family is very involved in politics and government. My Gramps cousin is actually a five star general and was the Vice Chief of Staff of the CIA, this was something that he was so proud of and we are today. My Gramps was always involved in something, he loved to give his opinion on things and always pushed his grandkids to be better.

Now that I followed a rabbit trail, back to the services. lol.

During the color guard ceremony, (I believe that's what it's called, but I could be wrong.), the man playing the trumpet had some technical errors. I couldn't figure out what he was fiddling with until later on when my sister told me that he was trying ot get the button to work.... apparently, he doesn't know how to play the trumpet.




Below are some pictures from the service and family get together afterwards. My aunt lives in Laguna and has this incredible view with ocean breezes that come up the hill.

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After the viewing on Wednesday night, All the siblings and my Gramms went out to dinner and left the "kids" at the house. I say "Kids", because we are all in our 20's and 30's, some married with kids, with the exception of the baby of the family who is fourteen. We decided to head out and get some food together after we practiced "Wind Beneath Our Wings" which my Gramps requested. After dinner, we came back to my Grandparents home and found that it was just my Gramms with all her Grandkids. This has never before happened! She loves to hear us sing, so we settled in the family room and sang for her while my brother and cousin played (my fourteen year old cousin plays by ear and is incredible!)... This night was special in a subtle way, all together, singing a song that my Gramps loved. I'll never forget it.


We took a group picture, something that I wish we'd done with my Gramps.



There will be so many changes in the next few months, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, Christmas... but change is good, most of the time. I can't imagine life without God while going through circumstances such as these.

Through it all He's faithful.

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Psalms 36:5

5 comments:

Shauna said...

Oh Deb, I have been so out of touch with what's going on. I am so sorry about the passing of your Gramps. My heart is with you, dear friend. You're right, going through such grief without leaning on a loving God would be...impossible. It's nice to know we have the comfort of our Savior's arms. Many prayers for you.

PS - I'm gonna go order A Passion Redeemed. :-)

Katybug said...

A military service is a sight to behold. I've always loved watching the precision movements and ceremonial traditions.

Then there's that trumpet player. ;-)

Quite the ringer God is putting your family through. Thankfully He's going thru it with you. I will keep praying.

LOVE the group pic! I'm sure your Gramps is laughing at it in heaven!!!

Becky said...

I just love that you have been leaning on the Lord this way, Deb. He is our strong tower...our refuge in time of need.

I also love that your extended family is so close-knit, and that in the midst of your grief y'all are able to clown around and have some comic relief.

I'd say, "God Bless You", but I see He already has...in abundance!

Queen Catherella said...

I LOVE that video of us singing. Can you believe that just a few short hours before we were standing around gramps, saying our last goodbyes? How we pulled together and got through the song was through the strength of the Lord only. What a beautiful night that was... I'll never forget it.

And I'm so proud of Grams. She is definitely much stronger than she thinks!

Anonymous said...

That night with all of us together is a night to remember forever. I am so glad you have video and pictures to remember it by. Hopefully it won't be so long before we all get together to do it again for Gram. Cathy is right. Gram is much stronger than we thought, and I know she loved every moment of being there with just her grandkids! Love you and miss you always!
-Donna