Old Man Winter

Why winter chose to show up on this last weekend is a mystery! My dad's memorial service was on Saturday.

My daughter, grandbaby, sister and niece were stuck in Seattle's Worst Blizzard of the Century. My college son was stuck in Chicago with a normal Midwest blizzard. The Seattle crew finally rented a 4 wheel drive jeep at 1am and hit I-5 for a fourteen hour drive. (My determined sister was NOT going to miss our father's service.) My son was never able to get here. My dad's 91-year-old brother made it from Boston, but just barely. His plane was delayed for hours because of the weather in San Francisco on Friday night! The poor dear arrived after midnight (three a.m. his time).

But...by 11 am on Saturday, we were all gathered at a little chapel. My mom chose to have a family-only service for a couple of reasons--mainly, because Dad's Alzheimer's had taken such a toll on everyone. We needed time together as a family to minimize that decade of AD and maximize Dad's life in its entirety.

A beautiful little chapel in Los Altos

My dad loved to take pix. The beautiful flowers were chosen and arranged by my friend, Nyna.

A few minutes before the service.

Little Blake added comic relief.

And that's just what happened! A wonderful hour of Dad's favorite hymns (led by my niece), his favorite Scripture read by the sons and grandsons, and a poignant, "Heaven-focused" message by the minister.  As my niece sang "The Lord's Prayer," the sun broke through the clouds and lightened the chapel.

Afterwards, we had lunch together at my brother's home and shared memories of Dad. My husband wrapped it up with a prayer, thanking God for Dad's long life. 

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Catered by Draeger's!

My brother Tom's three children

My sister, Wendy, and me

My older brother, Dave, and me holding Blake

Believe it or not...we all watched my son Tad's basketball game (live streaming) in Illinois! 

My mom on left, my son Gary in the middle, my Uncle Ed on the right

My sister's daughters, Heather and Hilary

My younger brother, Tom, with his daughter, Kelly

My niece Heather with my daughter Meredith

 Dad would have been so pleased.  He always did have a knack for bringing a little sunshine to winter.