Needless to say it has been a long week. Papa's funeral was nothing like I had ever seen before. Over a thousand people were there. He was such a good man, I have never heard a bad thing about him. He also had full military honors. Pop was in the Air Force for nearly forty years and retired as a CCMSgt. People from the Air Force base, his Sunday School class where he taught, and even the nurses at his dentist office came!
I stood in the receiving line next to Ryan (and I asked if they wanted me to move but everyone insisted I was family and to stay where I was) and met so many people. Surprisingly a lot of them knew who I was since Papa talked about Ryan all the time and in turn about me. It was quite humbling. The service was standing room only and beautiful.
Ryan made me so proud and honored to be his wife. My husband is a good man (so much like his Papa) so when I had my moment alone with Papa to say goodbye I had to thank him for that. Ryan admired his grandfather so much and he was like a father to him but I don't know if he realizes just how much like him he really is. But Ryan got up and spoke at the service. I didn't let myself cry until after Ryan did that but let me tell you what he said got me deep. It was beautiful and he did his Papa proud. Ryan's cousin Carann spoke after and hers was just as wonderful.
After the service we got in the procession and crossed the street to the cemetery. The police had to stop traffic on the highway to get us all there. It was brutally windy at the grave site and we all were given blankets to sit under the tent with. When the military honors started I had a hard time keeping it together. Especially once Skeetsie was handed the flag. That always gets me extra hard and I couldn't stop the tears then. I always tell Ryan he better let me go first because I cannot imagine doing that. At any age. Then they did the twenty one gun salute and slowly people started to drift away.
We went over to skeetsie's house after and spent time with family.
One if Ryan's friends growing up came which was sweet. They're actually out tonight catching up and I'm hanging out with Hannah, my little sister in law. We've bonded a lot this week while Ryan and his mom got things done. It's been hard for her too, she's only ten so it's quite overwhelming I'm sure. It is even for us.
We fly back really early tomorrow morning.
Thank you all so much for your kind words, support, and prayers. They are much appreciated by myself and my family... so thank you.
You guys are definitely in my thoughts :(
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a beautiful way to celebrate his life. He sounds like an amazing man
ReplyDeletewow, i'm glad to hear that he was honored in such a beautiful way. have a safe trip back home and blessings to you both :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful ceremony! I hope you and Ryan are doing well, I have been thinking of you every day!
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