Saturday, March 01, 2008

The Funeral


Six days afterwards seems late for a funeral, but there were lots of people coming in from out of town. Last night we had a huge family gathering at our house--all the glorious food provided by our church. Lots of eating and laughing.

Nanny's funeral was this morning, at the graveside. The weather was perfect and sunny and warm (although snow is predicted in two days!). My younger brother delivered an unbelievably fabulous, inspired, hilarious account of Nanny's life. In rhyme. It totally brought down the awning, and set the tone for a very joyful service.

Clara played hymns on her cello, and my mother passed out chocolate chip cookies. Nanny's recipe, of course.

35 comments:

Tracy said...

It sounds perfect. Ohhhh... I hope someone passes out cookies at my funeral!

Anonymous said...

I recall my grandpa's visitation being filled to overflowing with family and friends chatting and laughing amidst the tears.

Bless you--
Jean

Grafted Branch said...

That sounds like such a happy home-going!

The Lord bless you and yours...

Beth said...

Praise God that we can rejoice in such times. That we can laugh in sorrow. Just went through a similar experience with my own grandma, with its own bittersweet ending, too.

Leigh Ann said...

Sounds like a wonderful tribute.

momawake said...

God is so good!

Kelly said...

A part of me feels guilty thinking *how joyful* ......but I am learning and growing in the Lord and I know deep down that her going home is something to be in praise about.....but it is hard for me....I remember losing my Non, it left such a void.....but to know I will see her again does bring me joy. Anna, thank you for sharing with us such a time in your life, it has helped me grow and maybe even mature as a woman.

Many Many blessings to you and your family~
Kelly

Jodi said...

Sounds like a beautiful celebration of a life lived for God with much vivacity. Blessings to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful celebration of your Nanny's life. Bless you all.

April said...

It looks as though it was beautiful. I love the cookie idea... what a great way to celebrate the sweetness of a long life!

Alicia said...

That sounds so sweet. One more lovely memory.

Rhoto said...

What a wonderful celebration of life!!
Soft hug,
Rhonda in Montreal

Karen said...

Our family did much the same for my Dad's funeral in December. We all had funny anecdotes about him that the minister read during the funeral. It is a time of rejoicing that our loved one is with Jesus, but still bittersweet. Your Nanny sounds like she was a precious woman.

Cathy said...

What a beautiful way to pay tribute to, who I am sure was, a beautiful lady.

Jen said...

It sounds like a beautiful service even down tot he cookies..brilliant....she would have been proud. God Bless you and your family.

Cheri said...

Sounds like a very fitting tribute.

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

What a beautiful celebration of her passing onto a better place.

Rebecca said...

Anna, I'm so thankful that you and your family have been able to experience a deep, abiding joy in this time of loss.

Love to you all,
Rebecca

Lady Dorothy said...

What a beautiful graduation (into glory) service it must have been!

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute to your Nannie! How nice to make a sad occasion trimmed and woven with joy.

Dawn said...

It sounds like the perfect way to remember your nannie.
Hugs to you this day.

emme said...

It sounds like it was beautiful. I know how hard it is to lose someone dear to you, but it sounds like you found a very special way to celebrate her life.

~Emily

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that you were able to be joyful...even during the hard times!

Brambleberry said...

So lovely.

Adrienne said...

I have a feeling your Nanny loved every minute of the celebration. That's the kind of remembrance I would like to have. Blessings to each of you. ~Adrienne~

Betsy Brock said...

My condolences to you and your family ~ I've admired your blogging for several weeks now. You truely are a Proverbs 31 woman!

Trudy said...

What a beautiful celebration of her life. She must have been a wonderful lady.

Anonymous said...

It is always a joyous occasion mixed with tears when some one goes home to be with the Lord.

That cookie recipe will forever be etched in everyones mind. I bet when you think of her you will want to grab a cookie.

Beautiful flowers too.

Blessings!
Carmen over at xanga

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you all had a beautiful day to celebrate your Grandma's homecoming.

Anna said...

What a beautiful way to memorialize your Nanny's life. God bless!

Julie said...

What a beautiful funeral. I love the cookies part. How sweet.

Anonymous said...

Anna, Here is something for you, I love it and I hope it helps you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9upE_PGJVq8
DAnielle
Thecrazybus.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

what a lovely celebration for your nanny.
thanks again for sharing your story and showing us the love and care in your family. what a treasure.........

Michelle said...

I'm sorry for your loss,it sounds as if it was fitting for your Nanny,cookies and song on the cello.hugs..

Anonymous said...

Nannie sounds like a loved and exceptional lady. It is great to see that she was remembered so well.

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