Matt took of work on Friday so we could drive down to St. George, Utah for Grandpa Ahern's funeral. It took us forever to finally get on the road. I had packed our usual healthy snacks, got some DVD's from the Redbox and we were on our way.
The trip there was pretty uneventful. The kids fought, we ate graham crackers and listened to Fresh Air with Terry Gross, I cross-stitched, we bought Ella a pair of flip-flops at a gas station when hers broke.
We arrived and got settled into our hotel. We grabbed some dinner and shortly after headed to bed. We have officially crossed over into two-room status as a family of seven. We had two rooms with 2 queen beds in each. Matt, Evangeline, and Cecilia were in one room. Matt and Evangeline each got their own bed and we brought Cecilia's pack-n-play with us for her to sleep in. In the other room me and Bianca shared a bed, Ella got her own bed, and Jude slept in the Depression-Era Orphanage crib provided by the hotel.
Saturday morning there was hotel breakfast and then the kids and Matt went to a family brunch (at a rented condo) while I stayed back at the hotel with Cecilia so she could nap.
When they got back to the hotel I had laid out all of our outfits for the funeral. We were able to quickly get ready and head over to the viewing.
We arrived at the church building right around noon and there was such a nice set-up of photos and memorabilia from Grandpa's life on the tables leading into the viewing room. Grandpa was an active duty Marine during World War II, loved writing essays and poems and had a large family. There were so many photos and memories to see.
I have an issue with viewings so I stayed in the hallway with Ella during that part. I did snap one photo of the viewing from not too close to the casket.
The actual funeral service was held in the Chapel of the church. It was a great service. The Life Sketch (when did people stop saying Eulogy?) of Grandpa was very well done and not at all typical. My father-in-law gave it, being the oldest child. Grandpa Ahern had very complicated relationships with his children. He was a man who struggled in many areas of parenting. My father-in-law was very open about those difficulties during the Life Sketch. He talked about many of Grandpa's talents and strengths, but also touched on some of his struggles. In the end it had, what I felt was, a good resolution. That despite his many flaws, Grandpa had also passed on a lot of his talents, passions and life to his children. I felt the Life Sketch was probably really beneficial for his children to hear to help with some of the conflicted feelings they were probably experiencing. I think hearing my own parents' Eulogies will probably be equally conflicted for me to experience.
Grandpa's living children sang at his funeral together. He would have loved that.
During the services Aunt Jolynne read the words to the song that Great-Grandpa wrote for Great-Grandma called "Yvonne, Girl of my Dreams". This is when I cried ALL THE TEARS. When Great-Grandma passed away a few years back, Great-Grandpa was at her side, holding her hand, singing the song to her. Now they are together again.
Yvonne, girl of my dreams, you've come at last.
The days I spent all alone are in the past.
You've come in answer to my supplication.
Your presence, ever near, brings inspiration, Darling.
Sunbeams, girl of my dreams, are in my heart,
Since you have entered my life, never to part.
Eternity's promise with happiness gleams,
Yvonne, dear girl of my dreams.
The cemetery was less than 1 block from the church so we walked over.
I had told my Father-In-Law I would take pictures of the services. However, when I got there I felt very obtrusive. I was trying to be respectful and not disrupt the service, while still documenting it. I am so glad I sucked it up and did it, despite my self-consciousness. I got some great photos that I know the family will appreciate. I think when you are in a moment so close to you it is hard to take it all in. I was able to capture things that the true mourners may have missed or simply been too overwhelmed to observe. I am glad they will be able to go back and view these photos when time has passed a bit.
Matt was a pall bearer for Grandpa's casket.
The local chapter of Marine Veterans were there and it was amazing. They were so respectful and they really brought a reverence and gratitude for military service to the graveside. I loved the precision and honor they lent to every part they participated in.
After folding the flag which covered Grandpa's casket they presented it to my Father-In-Law. Here hie sits next to some of his brothers.
There was a 21 gun salute, a bagpiper, and a bugle player who played TAPS.
After the graveside service we visited quietly with one another and said our final goodbyes to Grandpa.
Grandma is already buried here and Grandpa will join her.
We walked back to the church for a lunch provided by the LDS Relief Society. It was a nice time to visit with family we don't often see.
We headed back to the hotel afterwards and changed so the kids could go swimming with their cousins. I had a nice lunge poolside and chatted with my sister-in-law while the kids had a great time.
That evening we joined the rest of the extended family at the rented condo for dinner and relaxing. This was my favorite part of the trip. Grandpa's children are spread out over the country and there are many of Matt's cousins I have never met and Aunts and Uncles we haven't seen in years. Others I only know from a family Facebook group.
We had so much fun chatting, visiting, and eating. Isn't that what extended family is about?
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A funny memory of Grandma and Grandpa Ahern. When my sister-in-law Michelle got married, Grandma and Grandpa drove from St. George to Layton for the wedding. Matt and I were staying at Matt's parent's home since we had traveled back from Delaware for the wedding. Grandma and Grandpa were set to arrive at a certain time of day and they showed hours later than expected. I knew there was a lot of construction along the I-15 and asked if they had become stuck in traffic.
Grandpa: No. As Yvonne and I were leaving our home it was such a lovely drive that we decided to really enjoy it. So we took our time and drove slowly so we could observe all the beauty around us. We never went faster than 45 mph for the entire drive.
Me: But didn't you get caught in that very long stretch by south Salt Lake where the traffic is only one lane?
Grandpa: Yes, but we just kept going at the pace we wanted to.
Me: Weren't people honking at you?
Grandpa: Oh yes. But we just let them honk. Nothing could make us go any faster and miss that beautiful scenery.
I still laugh at the thought of people backed up behind that car on the I-15 while Grandpa and Grandma took in the loveliness of the drive. Can you even imagine how many drivers must have flipped them off?
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