Lovington

We came to Lovington for Sharon's memorial service. It was great to see lots of family.
At the service Sean kept asking why everyone was crying. Don said because we miss Grandma Sharon. Sean said "I don't miss her."

Addie and Dava both read poems. October sang two songs. It was a very nice service. The minister who spoke at Grandma Ev's funeral conducted. He did a good job and I think Sharon would have approved.

 When we were driving to the cemetery a herd of deer crossed the road in front of the precession. I thought Sharon would appreciate that.

 When we got to the grave site Sean asked what was in the "box." Don told him it was Grandma Sharon. He asked me how she fit in the box. I told him it was her ashes. He kept asking how the ashes got out. I told him the box was sealed and the ashes wouldn't come out. I let him pull on the lid. He kept asking how the ashes got out of Grandma Sharon. I explained cremation to him. Tough concept for a five year old.

Addie read "I think that I shall never see". October sang two songs. Dava had a sapling for each grandchild so they could plant a tree.

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

   Joyce Kilmer

After the funeral we went to Yoders for a family luncheon. Sharon had received a royalty check for articles she had written that are coming out in the April magazine. We used that check to pay for lunch. I thought that was awesome because Sharon would love the fact that she bought all her family dinner.

We stopped in Lovington at Sharon's house to pick some things up. Sean ran into Sharon's room looking for her and was upset when she wasn't there. That's why he was so confused why we were all crying because he fully expected her to be back at the house waiting for us. Alika was crying and trying to explain to Sean that Grandma Sharon wasn't at the house that she had died. Sean wanted to know what planet she was on. Sad to watch a little boy struggle with the concept of death. He didn't like it one bit.

Dava had her foster kids and Dava's other son Kyle had his three little boys there so Sean had fun playing with cousins. The boys mother has filed an appeal with the courts over the termination of her parental rights. It could be another eighteen months before their adoption is final. Dava doesn't care because by then they will be out of daycare and right now the state is paying for daycare.

It was nice to see all of Don's Uncle Pete and Nancy and his dad. His cousins, Aunt and Uncle from his dad's side of the family were at the funeral as well. We left Arthur after the funeral and now we are in Fischer staying with Don's dad and wife.