Called Home

I have almost no time to write, and I’m exhausted right now…I just wanted to say that my father died today.

I made it home in time to spend some time with him, and though he was not able to open his eyes, I think he knew I was there and I had the chance to say goodbye.  The funeral is Friday…If anyone needs details, leave a message and I’ll get the info to you.

Update: Everything is going well here…We had the wake yesterday and more than 100 people came…full house.  Many, many thanks to the Cain family!  You guys are great!  Thank you for sending the food to us!  We brought it to the funeral home and ate it all.  It was the perfect thing.

Funeral this morning ay 11.  David and I are both singing at the service and my sister is reading…actually, everybody, immediate family and long time friends of my father,  is doing something…If you are praying, please pray that we perform our duties well and with grace.

Update Sunday Feb 8 Just thought I would say that Tim and I are back home in Arlington.  The funeral and graveside services were really well done…My brothers, Richard and Edward, a couple of cousins, and a couple of my father’s oldest friends were pall bearers, my sister, Mary Catherine,  read the prayers of the faithful beautifully, Brian and Larry (Grandchildren) read from scripture, and David sang the recessional and I sang the communion song.  At the cemetery, there was a military honor guard.  Taps were played…it was, by far, the best rendition of taps I have ever heard.  Then the flag of the United States was presented to my mother in such a dignified manner and with so much respect that I was left breathless.

We were overwhelmed by the attendance at the services because of the distances traveled by all.  The funeral procession was about 23 cars, and it was a 90 min ride.  Afterward we went to a local restaurant for a meal and the chance to tell stories.  It was wonderful to see family and friends whom I have not seen in so long…

There are no words to express how we are right now…Tim and I have each  just lost a parent within 6 weeks…We cry a lot…often together…it is a good thing, I think…The world seems different and strange without my father here…I miss him.