Memorial Service Saturday

Written from Linda’s perspective:

We slept in a little later this morning and then went to the Waffle House for breakfast.  I went to Rose Nails for a mini while Tim sat in the car and waited.  We then returned back to the room until we left for the cemetery at 1:30.  We held the memorial service outside under a canopy.  We were anticipating a temperature of 100 degrees. I can take the heat here better than at home because of the low humidity.

We arrived at the cemetery and discovered Mike had everything ready with about 40 chairs under the canopy and a table for pictures and water bottles.  There was also a table with the three boxes of cremains and three flower vases.  I was in charge of the guest book and had to get everyone to sign it.  We were given the guest book to take home and will probably give it to our daughter Charissa as a keepsake.  Tim’s brother Mike did a terrific job in planning the service.

Mike played 5 or 6 of Mom’s favorite hymns on a harmonica.  He said his violin was too big to bring!  😉

Dan read the 23rd Psalm and Tim read from three passages of Scripture and we all sang “Be Still My Soul”

Five family members told memories and Mom’s favorite song “You Never Let Go” (Matt Redman) was played.  We recited the “Lord’s Prayer” and sang, “I’d Rather Have Jesus”.

Pastor Dwight Thompson gave a eulogy and a good salvation message and then the cemetery groundskeeper came and opened the 3 engraved niches and placed the cremains in each one.

It was a good service with about 30 people present.  Some of Dad’s cousins from Riverside CA and Reno NV came and it was fun to meet them.  A number of folks from the church were also in attendance as well as some of Noreen’s co-workers.

It was warm, but not unbearable.

We returned home to our Motel around 4 pm after a Starbucks stop and while unloading the car, Tim spilled his hot Caramel Macchiato coffee on his arm … but he survived.  I shared my Iced Macchiato with him 😉

We went later to the Branding Iron restaurant where 17 of us had a Lobster and Prime Rib dinner.  It was a good evening together and many pictures were taken.  We also listened to a recorded message from brother Kevin.

Se said our goodbyes and expressed the desire to see one another again soon.