and there she goes

sunday we were in grand rapids for my grandma's visitation. i don't know what kind of person aspires to do make up on the dead but whoever does it for this particular funeral home should retire. my grandma had so much blush on her cheeks it was borderline clown makeup. however, who ever picked out her outfit did a perfect job. it was a blouse and blazer done in shades of purple. my grandma wore purple very well. i spent a good deal of time chatting it up with my cousins becky and cheryl. at the close of the visitation my dad read a letter my grandma wrote to us back in 2003. it was very grandma. it was like she was standing there speaking to us. (choke,sob) then my dad handed out pieces of jewelry to each granddaughter. (stop the madness!) in my manila envelope was two boxes. i opened the small box to find a emerald ring that once belonged to my great great grandma and a broach that my grandpa gave my grandma on their 10th wedding anniversary in 1950. (ahhhhhh!) i couldn't even open the second box. later i did and in it was a bracelet and matching earrings for holly, my grandma's brother had given to her upon graduation (i think it was college graduation).
Monday morning was the funeral. it was exactly what my grandma would have wanted. two of my cousins sang two songs. during the second song, amazing grace, they broke down crying and everyone in the church finished the song together. one of the things the minster said was, "the world is a better place for having Marion havens in it." i have heard this before but was never sure if it was true. i know it is true for my grandma. after she retired from teaching she was volunteering for everything in her church or at the hospital. in fact, in the 80's the grand rapids' newspaper wrote an article about her. after the funeral there was a luncheon at the church. i know for a fact my grandma would have hated what they served small sandwiches, chips, fruit and horrible punch. my dad and his brothers had to pay for that slop put on by the church. just horrible. me and Diane could have made a better meal than that, even in our grief!
so now here i am, at home and awaiting another call. my mom's mother is dying. i will be surprised if she lives out the month. then there is my mom's dad who is also dying. hospice has come into the home, so really it's at anytime i will putting my funeral clothes back on and driving to grand rapids again.

this has been a word from nicole

PS dinky is now a scab.