Trip to NY
Tuesday morning my siblings and I left for upstate NY to attend my Grama's funeral. It started off to a crazy start when my brother called Monday night around 11:3o to say our flight had been cancelled. They never told us why, but we figured it was b/c a snowstorm was headed there. We ended up taking the 5:45am flight. You can imagine how little sleep we got that night since we had to be there by 4:45! (My brother didn't go to sleep at all...crazy boy!) After having a delay on the first plane, having only 15 minutes between landing in snowy Chicago to get to our flight to White Plains and then sitting on the tarmac for an hour while we refueled and de-iced, we were thankful to get to NY! My sister's luggage was not so lucky.
We made it for the last few minutes of the first viewing and then headed home to rest and eat dinner before returning to the funeral parlor. It was bittersweet to see a lot of friends of my grandparents. I wish it had been for pleasant circumstances. Nonetheless, many people had very kind things to say about Grama. Many of her former students came by to give their condolences. Many more church members of their former church that my Grampa pastored for 40+ years and their current church came by, despite the snow that started around 8pm. Most commented to us that my Grampa was encouraging them as much as they were trying to encourage him. :)
We got several inches of snow Tuesday night, but made it to the church Wednesday morning. It surprised me how many ventured out. Guess I'd forgotten that Yankees know how to drive in the snow! ;) It was a sweet service, one that my Grama would have been pleased with. We sang several hymns, one couple sang "Day by Day" (I didn't realize what a great message that song has!), I sang (and made it through) "There is a Higher Throne", and the pastor preached a great message using Jeremiah 31:3 as his primary text. It was entitled "Loved and Drawn". After the memorial service, we had a simple graveside service and then returned to the church for lunch. The rest of the day was spent with our Grampa at home. He shared some stories that we had never heard and after dinner he beat a couple at Scrabble. That man is sharp!! :)
We headed back to the airport Thursday morning and ended up missing our flight b/c of a wreck on the highway. We had a choice of riding stand-by and perhaps making it in DFW around 10pm or we could drive to LaGuardia to get a non-stop flight home. We chose the later since we were guaranteed a seat at the 12:30 flight and high-tailed it to LaGuardia. Thankfully there was NO traffic going there and we were checked in an hour before the flight! We were all very relieved when the plane took off and we landed at DFW!
I couldn't have done it without my husband being willing to keep our girls. He took 3 days off work so he could take EK to therapy and school. He also cleaned some of the house and did laundry! :) Not every husband would do that and I know it! :) I am very blessed with a kind husband who knew it was important for me to be at my Grama's funeral to support my Grampa! Thanks Keith!
We made it for the last few minutes of the first viewing and then headed home to rest and eat dinner before returning to the funeral parlor. It was bittersweet to see a lot of friends of my grandparents. I wish it had been for pleasant circumstances. Nonetheless, many people had very kind things to say about Grama. Many of her former students came by to give their condolences. Many more church members of their former church that my Grampa pastored for 40+ years and their current church came by, despite the snow that started around 8pm. Most commented to us that my Grampa was encouraging them as much as they were trying to encourage him. :)
We got several inches of snow Tuesday night, but made it to the church Wednesday morning. It surprised me how many ventured out. Guess I'd forgotten that Yankees know how to drive in the snow! ;) It was a sweet service, one that my Grama would have been pleased with. We sang several hymns, one couple sang "Day by Day" (I didn't realize what a great message that song has!), I sang (and made it through) "There is a Higher Throne", and the pastor preached a great message using Jeremiah 31:3 as his primary text. It was entitled "Loved and Drawn". After the memorial service, we had a simple graveside service and then returned to the church for lunch. The rest of the day was spent with our Grampa at home. He shared some stories that we had never heard and after dinner he beat a couple at Scrabble. That man is sharp!! :)
We headed back to the airport Thursday morning and ended up missing our flight b/c of a wreck on the highway. We had a choice of riding stand-by and perhaps making it in DFW around 10pm or we could drive to LaGuardia to get a non-stop flight home. We chose the later since we were guaranteed a seat at the 12:30 flight and high-tailed it to LaGuardia. Thankfully there was NO traffic going there and we were checked in an hour before the flight! We were all very relieved when the plane took off and we landed at DFW!
I couldn't have done it without my husband being willing to keep our girls. He took 3 days off work so he could take EK to therapy and school. He also cleaned some of the house and did laundry! :) Not every husband would do that and I know it! :) I am very blessed with a kind husband who knew it was important for me to be at my Grama's funeral to support my Grampa! Thanks Keith!
glad you got to travel back for that service....it's hard loosing grandma's...we lost one thursday night...so i know how you feel but also know they are in heaven...that is the sweet part...glad you made it back safe and that your hubby held the fort down....and did housework! wow!!
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