There was a lot to do over the next few days. We planned Mom's funeral and wrote her obituary. We cleaned out Mom's room at Summit. Mel, Al, and I dressed Mom in her temple clothes. That was not my favorite thing to do. I of course wanted to and would do it again, but it's hard to see her body without her spirit in it. It really is the spirit that makes a person who they are.
Her viewing was on Wednesday, September 24th.
Gary flew back in, and Kyle was able to fly in as well.
Rockwell and Paul stayed home Wednesday evening. Max Miller took his life earlier that day, and Rockwell was heartbroken. Vincent and Simon were there when it happened and Vince called Rockwell. They all went to Vincent's house and spent some time together. He said what they all needed was to be together. Bishop Hawks gathered the youth that evening and talked with them, and Rockwell said that was really helpful. Mom's viewing was already emotional and hard for me, but after Max, I was a mess. My heart is broken for Max, and Rockwell, and all of Max's friends.
My heart aches for Alexys. She lost her mom at such a young age, and has now lost Grandma, who was an amazing mother figure for her ever since.
Rockwell and I were able to talk and cry together for a while when we were both home that night. I just hate that he's feeling all this pain.
We did another viewing for Mom Thursday morning before her funeral (September 25th).
Damon was amazing at both the viewings. He would bring me tissues and give me hugs every time I started crying, which happened a lot! He is so thoughtful and caring. When he saw Caitlyn and Al crying, he gave them hugs too. Damon's hugs really do help you feel better!
Katie and Ben were there for both viewings and were so sweet. They asked the kids if they were hungry, and then went and got them food Wednesday night. That was so helpful!
Jonah was able to call in for the family prayer and funeral. Grandpa gave a beautiful prayer.
Rockwell wasn't in any place to talk to strangers, so Paul brought him up just in time for the family prayer. Grandpa was very worried about Rockwell, and made sure to go talk with him and give him a couple big hugs. Grandpa is amazing that he can be so caring and concerned about others while he has just lost his best friend of 50+ years.
Caitlyn spoke first at the funeral. She compiled a lot of memories from all of the grandkids. She did such a great job of capturing what an amazing Grandma she was.
Pam spoke next and talked about growing up with Peggy. She talked about how Peggy would always listen, and always remember what people said, and follow up on what you had said. She said how rare that is, and that her and her siblings always appreciated that about her.
Kyle, Caitlyn, Elena, Wyatt, Hallee, Tessa and Damon sang Peace in Christ (Lindy played the piano). It was beautiful!
Al spoke and did such a great job. She really captured the rare way Mom had of making you feel loved while also making you want to be better. She shared so many things that Mom has always done for us kids and how important, special, and loved she made us all feel.
Gary's talk was amazing as well. He shared what a special person she was, and how he could tell how much she truly loved Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father from a very young age. I wasn't sure any talks could really do Mom justice, but I think Caitlyn, Pam, Al, and Gary did it. I was very happy with the whole funeral.
A lot of family came from both Mom's side and Dad's side. Rachel shared with Al that she remembers coming to live with us when she was 5 and Deena was 2. She said the first night they came, Mom was getting everything ready for them: sheets on their beds, clean pajamas and clothes, food to eat, etc, and Rachel knew that for the first time in her life, she was going to be taken care of. She said she felt safe with Aunt Peggy.
Dad and my siblings and I rode over to the cemetery in the car provided by the mortuary.
The pallbearers.
Matt dedicated Mom's grave.
Elijah and Chelsey were so sweet to let us hold Isaiah. He was only about 10 days old, and they were troopers on such a long day.
The Relief Society prepared a nice lunch for us after the cemetery.
Damon had so much fun playing with Clara and Zariyah!
They ran back and forth across the gym and just laughed and laughed.
They would all fall down, and every time, Zariyah would go pat Damon's head and ask if he was okay. It was adorable!
It was a long, long day, but it was so good to be with the family. Paul and Rockwell headed out to the airport after the luncheon. Rockwell's XC team had gone to Arizona for a race, and he really wanted to join them. Paul and I thought it would be a really good thing for him to go have a positive experience in the midst of all this hard. They flew to Phoenix, rented a car, and Paul drove him to Mesa to meet up with the team. They were having a pasta party at Olive Garden, racing the next night, and then driving home the day after that. We were glad he was able to enjoy some time with his team and not miss out on the whole trip.
