Grandpa’s Funeral

 Oh hi Bakey!

It’s early afternoon here on fast Sunday, we’re already done with a super early dinner where Ben went on a looong rant about how the cut of roast we always buy is the worst cut of roast. I thought it was delicious. Joey made the mashed potatoes with the potato ricer that he inherited from grandpa, his potatoes accomplished his life long dream of chunk free mashed potatoes. And guess what? It’s snowing again. Much to Ben’s delight we have surpassed the snow water totals of the summer of ‘83. Grandma was going to come over, but poor Ben was puking and squirting yesterday and we didn’t want to chance grandma catching anything.

As you know, this week was all about grandpa’s funeral and preparations. I trust the feed came through for you and you could hear everything. It was an amazing service and I thought everyone, mostly, did a really great job. 

The weather was insane though. We got up early enough to get to the viewing early, but it was a total spring blizzard. The trip to Sandy was super sketchy. It was icy, windy, snowy and slick. Cars were sliding all over and getting stuck. As we headed up the hills towards grandmas house cars were not making it up the road, they had no traction. We barely got there at the starting time. Uncle Steven is a little less diligent about his tires and they could not make it up. They got stuck by the proctologists over by the library and a Good Samaritan had to push them over to the parking lot by the Smith’s food king and then shuttle them in multiple trips to the church. They called it a miracle, I call it irresponsible, but hey, they did get there.

The viewing lasted for almost two hours, and because of the storm that was good because most people didn’t get there until well into that second hour. Lots of people came and they all love your grandmother. Its kinda funny how many of your girl cousins choose to wear sandals on that day, I guess that gene is hereditary. 

The funeral itself was amazing. The highlights for me were your mom’s reading of grandpa’s conversion story, Ben’s musical prowess, and uncle Tim’s message of the plan of salvation. I thought he did a powerful job and there were people in the congregation that probably needed it (think Rod and Beverly). I remember before my dad’s passing he told me that the most important message for his funeral was the message of the atonement of Christ and the comfort it brings at the time of death. Even the Christian religions don’t always emphasize the comfort and warmth the knowledge of eternal life and resurrection brings. Uncle Tim nailed that.

I heard that the storm had eased during the services but by the time we needed to get grandpa in the hearse, it was just as bad as ever. Luckily though, the snow plows had caught up and the roads were a lot more passable. Mom and grandma and all of her siblings rode in the limousine. We got to the cemetery and it the snow was going sideways. It was icy wet snow and it stung when it hit your skin. I was wearing my mafia over coat and that kept me warm, but the wind went through my pants and what little hair I have left. Mom’s umbrella broke from the wind. Grandma had assigned me the grave dedication. I was pretty nervous that I would forget a vital part of the priesthood ordinance. I had copied the steps from the handbook into my notes and had read them over and over. When it was time for the dedication, all I could think about was grandpa’s body in that cold casket about to be left there, alone in the snow. I remembered grandpa’s dream about the door with the light coming out, and the warmth he described. And I realized that was what the atonement is. That came out in my blessing along with a vision of perfect grandpa at the resurrection; and how he was smiling and happy to see me; and how he was no longer grandpa, but he was my friend and my brother; and how happy I was to see him. Jacob, I am so confident today in my testimony of all of this. I was so amazed at the peace that was at your grandfather’s funeral. He continues to be a pioneer and an example to me. I am so grateful for him.

After the funeral we were pretty tired. I wanted to stay home, but auntie Selena had invited us to her twins birthday celebration at The Old Spaghetti Factory. For me, the draw wasn’t the restaurant, it was wanting to be with family. Everyone on my side was there. It was so fun to be with them. Mom and I had eaten at the luncheon after we came back from the cemetery. It had been nice to be with family there too. Mom and I shared a spaghetti dish, I sent a picture of it to Ben and I’m pretty sure that’s why he began vomiting. Actually though, I thought it was pretty good. Everyone asks about you, everyone is so excited to see you. Every girl on both sides of the family thinks that you are the most handsome member of the family, please don’t let that go to your head, but do save it for times that you’re feeling badly about yourself. I promise that girls that are not family members also find you handsome.

Getting past that awkward last paragraph, today was fast Sunday because of conference. I must say it was one for the ages. The first one was brother Crowther, you may remember him from such classics as “when I heard the prophet tell us to wear masks I swore!” And “the prophet was being the church president when he said that and not a prophet!” Today he spent 15 minutes speaking talking about the long history of his church basketball rivalry with church ball refs. Your brothers were squirming. Your mother got up too and gave a lovely testimony about grandpa and the atonement. Sister Carver gave a nice testimony about the temple because Jared had taken his endowments this week. I got up to bear my testimony about the atonement after my experiences yesterday but just for your brothers I acknowledge brother Crowther and that awesome region finals game. I succeeded at triggering Ben, I heard all about it at dinner.

Yesterday all of mom’s family met at Chuck-a-Rama in honor of grandpa. I have to say I really missed him being there. I was trying to arrange the seating to get uncle David at the end of the booth. Joe and I had a pact to get out as often as possible. But our plan failed because uncle David was late and we had to save tables. Next time.

Later yesterday I finished putting together the boxes for the new mantle. They’re massive! I think they’ll look cool, as my intent was for it to be a focal point. There’s a lot of messy steps before I get it mounted that mom won’t like. But it’s progress.

Back to work next week for me, but mom and Joey are both on spring break. Hopefully they’ll be able to spend time with grandma.

I’m assuming this will be a big week for you. Next week is transfers, right? Next we also marks three months before your return date. Watch out kid, those three months will speed past. Do your best to be present for all of it, you’ll be happy to be home, but you will really miss it when you’re done. I’m pretty sure you are especially aware of that though.

Love you my boy,

Pops