Today was Uncle Bob's funeral.
The sun was out, (even though the temperature was only 38*) after a couple of cold days with rain and snow in Wrightwood. The family viewing was sweet. So many of us together again in just six months since Wendy's passing, and then Denise and Leslie who I hadn't seen since Auntie Dolene's funeral 5 years ago. Russell gave the family prayer. Very sweet and tender but powerful. The services were simple but perfect. Just the way Uncle Bob would have wanted them. He never did like a lot of fanfare. My dad gave the opening prayer, Uncle Bob's good friend gave the euology, musical number from Mark and Arlene Raps (who by the way, grew up in Torrance with us and now make their home in Auntie Tia's ward in Wrightwood), then Duff spoke on the gospel plan and gave a spiritual message. Uncle Joe gave the closing prayer.
Leaving the chapel. My funeral coach picture was taken and uploaded the right way, but won't post horizontally. Oh well. Larry, Terry(sons-in-law), David (son), Nick (grandson).
Ready for the luncheon. Uncle Bob's favorite color was blue. It matches his sky blue eyes.
He was really good at working with wood. He cut all the wood for more crafting projects than any of us can count. Most of us have some kind of wood project that he cut and we crafted together.
He loved the ocean. He took us for lots of drives along the coast through Palos Verdes when we were little. I remember one Saturday on one of these drives. He teased us by going really fast towards a dirt cliff just as if we were going to go over into the ocean. We were screaming and then he slammed on the brakes right at the end. He thought it was pretty funny, but I was so scared I've never forgotten it!
He loved to draw and paint. This particular picture has very sentimental emotions for me. It is of his parents family cabin in Big Bear. We went there quite a bit while we cousins were all little growing up. Summertimes, wintertimes. Oh such fun! There were only 2 rooms: the small kitchen with a water pump at the sink and a wood burning stove to cook on, and the main room, where we had fires, slept in sleeping bags, played games and put puzzles together. There was no running water or electricity. The summertime picnics on the front porch, the tobaggon and sledding in the winter right down to the frozen lake. The outhouse, the well, and the baths in a metal tub in the middle of the kitchen with the warmth of that stove! I think I'm going to ask her if I can have it copied and framed. I would love to have one.
He and Auntie Tia loved to collect stemware.
He served his mission in New Zealand. He couldn't get his visa for a year, so he served in Fontana, and then left for New Zealand and the mission president kept him for 2 years there. He loved the people there, especially the natives.
The hat he wore all the time while traveling in Germany where he was stationed during his time in the military. Shelly was born there.
Bowls from New Zealand and more art and crafting.
The picture says it all! He finally made it to the top! It was a long time goal that he accomplished.
We cousins. It can be years and we just pick right up where we left off. Denise and I sat together during the services and shared a hymn book. Jennifer was sitting behind us. Lisa next to me. Our voices blended so pretty. Daddo would have been proud and I relish in the connection I feel when I am with all of my cousins.
Miss Attysen. She is a panic. She is Leslie's caboose, like Christine is mine. What a gift they are! She was showing me her karate moves. The night before she was giving a dancing and karate recital at the dinner in Wrightwood.
The Riverside Memorial Veteran's Cemetery is a gorgeous place. All cemetery's have that peaceful ambience to them, but this place adds a reverence also. The grounds are beautiful. When you arrive, you line up your cars in a queue. Then at a certain time, you follow the funeral coach to one of several striking pavillions. This is where the military honors occur and the graveside services happen.
The flag is always at half mast.
Taps played by a lone soldier on the hillside afar off. All those who had served gave one final salute and the rest of us placed our hand on our hearts. It was very emotional. My dad giving his final salute. He's never grown facial hair, and now he's sporting some. He loves it. Me--not so much. My mom either. I guess better late than never, right!
The folding and presentation of the flag. It gave me chills. It sure makes me ponder on Mamo and Daddo leaving everything behind in Germany and coming here for the gospel and freedom. Changing their entire lives so their posterity could have these blessings. I only hope I live up to their great sacrifice and that they are pleased with my life they gave up so much for and those that have served to protect it.
David dedicating the grave.
It was comforting.
Interesting note: They handle about 40 funerals a day. So they hold these services in a pavillion and they dig out the actual graves in a dirt section of the cemetery. It is one large 'hole', and then at the end of the day, the caskets are reverently placed and covered over, then sod is layed down on top and the marker placed.
Unexpected by all of us, Auntie Tia stood up at the end and told us she wanted to say a few things. How much she loved us all, and how she appreciated all of the sacrifices we made to come and be here. Many of us postponed or altered spring break trips and or traveled really far in a small amount of time to be here to honor Uncle Bob. She stood there clutching the flag and I thought how much I love and admire her.
Auntie with her remaining family. David, Sheri, Tia, Russell, Shelly. The bottom photo is the expression Uncle Bob always did. We think it's an expression of the New Zealand natives.It's hard to wrap my heart around the fact that Wendy and Uncle Bob are both gone now. Yet somehow, all of us instinctively knew it would happen this way.
The Walgren Family.
...and the whole kittin' caboodle of us. Minus a few.
Christine and Taylor. These two. What can I say.
When Shane lived with us for a while one of the popular songs of the time was Chick Magnet. He loved it. Shaun played it over and over on the computer.
Looks like Taylor is taking over for his dad now! Hahaha!
Funerals are full of hellos and good-byes. Grandma and Chrissy saying theirs.
Uncle Bob, we will miss you.
