The Week

My Opa's service last Friday was a short sweet graveside affair. My mom and aunt eulogized him very well. I went into it without a good explanation to my kids and they were not on their best behavior. I realized later they probably weren't too sure what was happening.

Their reactions to Opa's death were interesting. Kyri (whom I considered too young to understand) was teary the day of his death and upon seeing his picture said "He's dead" in a mournful little voice. She kissed his picture when we arrived at my parents' house.

Ben, on the other hand, was completely focused on the fact that he was going to get a "new body." He had been very saddened by his continuing physical decline and had constantly talked with me about his legs not working and him not being able to talk. So he was nearly jubilant in saying, "Opa's gonna get a new body. One that works." AMEN.

One of the best things through all this is that my brother came home for a few days. Mike couldn't make the funeral so he took the train down to Oregon Friday night and the guys all got a round of golf in. We celebrated Mark's birthday with dinner out Saturday and then took the kids to the downtown water fountain in Corvallis to cool off.

This photo was taken when Ben and Kyri stayed with my parents while Mike and I went to Hawaii in June. It was a month before Opa's death and I can see a bit of a smile on his face. He had always been a big smiler and the smiles were nearly gone by the time he died. So this picture will always be precious to us, for many reasons.