Saying Goodbye

Friday we found out Aaron’s grandfather had died. It was unexpected, although he had been struggling through dementia for a few years and especially since Grandma died two years ago.

(We went on the church camping trip Saturday through Monday, which was enjoyable although perhaps one of the COLDest camping nights we’ve ever braved in a tent. I lost my voice from allergies, and now–after all the days in a row of busyness with little sleep–Aaron is definitely sick with a fever.)

Tuesday was visitation for Grandpa, out in Ionia. Just about all the family were able to make it, and it was good to see them and for them to be able to see Anna. She was a trooper about hanging out in a rather boring for a 3-year-old room for hours. Wednesday just the two of us went out for the funeral. The service was a little “how I will NOT do funerals when I’m a pastor” for Aaron…but still it was good. The church provided the traditional ham-buns, etc., and Aaron ate his dessert first as Grandpa always would “in case Jesus comes back.” Then we stood on a hill in the gusty wind, surrounded by cornfields and American flags and wilted flowers marking other families’ memories and losses, and said our goodbyes.

Peace be with you, children and grandchildren of a good man.