I thought it would be good to explain the funeral arrangements we are making to say goodbye to Grandma Sarah because they are a little bit out of the ordinary. Doug, Julia and Jean who are very close to the situation and after a lot thought have decided the best way to handle this to accommodate Grandpa Milo’s capabilities would be to do this in two steps. I completely concur with what was decided as it was a kind solution and what the family feels is a fitting way to say goodbye respectfully given the circumstances. Since it was Grandma Sarah wish to be cremated we have more time than we would otherwise. In that light, this is our plan:
Step One. Many know that Grandpa Milo has Alzheimer’s disease and is not as able as in the past. It was felt that in the short term, based on Grandpa Milo’s capabilities and all of our need for some closure it would be good to do something in a much smaller, more controlled venue. To that end, we will have a small family-only dinner in the next week or so to remember Grandma Sarah and disperse the ashes in the rose garden by the pond Grandpa Milo built like they had planned.
Step Two. All of us wanted to have a traditional funeral so all the family and friends Grandma Sarah loved so much and who loved her back can say goodbye, too. Because we have time and due to a number of considerations including the upcoming holidays when it is hard to plan travel, the family thought it would be easier if we did the funeral after the first of the year. It seemed odd to us to wait so long, but someone remembered that was the way it was handled with our dear friend Beth Bellam and it not only went well, but allowed more people to make plans to be there. The next consideration was that Special Meeting rounds start right after the first of the year and end on January 15. Mom’s birthday is on January 18th and we thought that might be a good time to have the funeral and celebrate her life. We talked to our ministers and they thought that would be just fine if that is what the family wanted. We are not sure it will happen exactly on January 18th, but if not, it will be within a few days of that date. We will keep everyone posted.
Thinking of you all…hugs. So sorry for your loss. She was a special lady and meant a lot to the Joyce Family.
Thanks Dave. You know we consider your family our family. –Ken
In Sweden they sometimes wait 6 weeks for the funeral….seems just right.
That is excellent Barbie! Thanks for sharing this. We are not so sure about any of this and it is great to have dear friends give us some confirmation.
Dear Chapman Kids, Sure thinking of all of you. It’s such a final chapter in our lives when our beloved parents leave us. They are safe now from any harm but it does leave a ‘huge hole in your heart’…… We sure did love your sweet Mom. Johnny was our contact with your family long ago. Give your Dad a big hug from us. Love, Donna & Ron
Thank you so much Donna. I need to give you guys a call when we get our heads above water a little. You have been family since we were befriended by your brother and your kindness in this comment and every other time we have been with you is so greatly appreciated. You all even showed great kindness to Lorena and her family long before I even met them.
A wonderful friend to all of us. Always very gracious to me when I visited. Sorry that I haven’t gotten over to see Milo and Sarah at the care facility. Life is moving to fast for me. I think it would be good for me to slow down and let the people that have meant so much to me through the years personally know that I appreciate them. Thoughts go to each of you at this time.
Glad that there will be a delay in the service as we are gone and won’t be home until Jan.12 and really want to be there and pay our respects.
Best Regards, LA
Dear Doug, Ken, Julia, and Jeannie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. So many wonderful memories of our family’s together in Klamath Falls. One of my favorite’s is one Wednesday night and no men available, so Sarah led the meeting!
Love, Martha Neeley-Anderson
Loren,
Thanks so much for the note. Your family was held in such high regard by both Dad and Mom and are especially glad you will be back in town for the service. We are losing a generation of such good people–your folks being some of the best of them.
Martha,
Thanks so much for these kind thoughts. I remember with great fondness those meetings when we were all young and the many times we got together as families (as well as that Wednesday night meeting you described–I can even remember where I was sitting that meeting).
Ken
Great to find this posting this AM. Ron and I are thinking of you kids and how special and thoughtful you are handling your loving mom’s passing. She will be missed. She was so unique and so perfectly “Sarah” We loved her with all our might, and know how this will impact Milo. Hope someone can help him through this hand ringing time. Surely there could be something to take the edge off his despair. When I think of him, and his situation I actually get a heart ache. Bless him and bless his caregivers that they can see and be able to meet his needs Love to all of your wonderful family
Thank you Wonlyn. You and Ron have been a real champions when it comes to both Dad and Mom for a long time. We are so grateful for your kindness to them and to my sisters as well. We are all working together with a group of caring friends of which you and Ron, of course, are included to stay in as constant a touch as possible. Dad really is devastated and does not know what to do with himself. Mom’s end was sad, but wonderful, partially because of a level of sweetness from Dad that was unexpected, but should not have surprised us–he was the old selfless Dad again for Mom at the end. Thank you for this wonderful note of consolation.