Ray Price (song lyrics)
Well, my friends, we made it. The viewing went so well, and the funeral was exceptionally beautiful. The granddaughters did a perfect job of the picture boards, and everyone collected momentos to display on tables. The flowers were so lovely, and the number of people who attended was amazing. Tina came up with the idea of the "Noodle Table". Hazel was known for her great chicken and noodles and had taught several women in the family how to make them. We set up a small table, put Hazel's kitchen table cloth on it and proceeded to lay out all of her noodle making instruments - - - bowl, mixing spoon, flour canister and an open bag of flour, pastry cutter, flour scoop, rolling pin, etc. Niece Holly ran to town and pick up dried noodles and we put them in the bowl and some on the table, with flour sprinkled over them. It looked like Hazel had just walked away from preparing them. Very touching. Tina even had the original recipe card that Grandma had written out for her, and she had it displayed in a small shadowbox. Good job, girls.
Jenna asked Alec (who was staying at his Dad's for the night) if he would like to come to the viewing and he said yes. She had explained what was going on and he seemed interested in going so his Dad brought him for a short period of time. Jenna took his hand and walked down the aisle to the front of the church and stood in front of the open casket. He stayed there for several minutes looking solemnly at his Grandma Hazel, and then said he wanted to leave. Jenna told him to say "Good bye" and he said "Bye. Bye. Good bye, Grandma Hazel", gave her a wave, took his mother's hand again, turned and walked quietly out of the church. We're never quite sure how Alec is going to react in different circumstances, and he continually amazes us. He may not be able to tell us all what he is feeling, but something very serious was going through his mind.
Niece Sara had written a beautiful poem expressing her feelings for Hazel, and read that. There was more than a few tears shed during that, let me tell you.
Thank you, everyone, for your expressions of sympathy and concern for the family, but we will survive. We all know that we are allotted only so many days each, on this earth, and it was Hazel's time to go. That doesn't mean that we won't miss her terribly, but she had a long, good life and the people she left behind still love her dearly and she will not be forgotten.
I am still trying to get the gumption to put up my Christmas tree and put out some decorations. Jenna even offered to help me get everything out, but there just hasn't been any time lately. I guess I have a lot of time now, right?
GOD BLESS YOU ALL