My trip to California was amazing. Yes- it was for a funeral for my Grandfather- Keyne P. Monson, but it was spritually uplifting and I had the opportunity to see many family members and cousins. (and get a break from my kids . . . Poor Jon had to deal with HIS grandma's funeral, AND have the kids in Spokane . . . luckily he got a babysitter for the actual service, so he could enjoy it). I had a fun time flying from Spokane with my parents. It was kind of like being a kid again - - I didn't really have to be in charge or worry about getting where we needed to be - - I just got to enjoy a relaxing flight with good conversation! We arrived in Oakland on Friday afternoon (the 5th of December) and met up with the rest of my siblings. They ALL were there minus spouses and kids, except Laura brought her really cute baby Rachel. We all went out to dinner at Mimi's Cafe (yum, yum!). The next day on Saturday was the funeral and after the families met at my Grandma's house. It was an amazing day! First of all, it was wonderful to see ALL of my cousins. I really do have an amazing family. Not all are members of the church - - but it is amazing how something like this brings us all together. All the grandchildren (we are all grown now) sang Granpa's favorite hymn "How Great Thou Art" for the funeral- what an amazing legacy he as left. Each one of my Granpa's children (my dad, 3 uncles and aunt) spoke, each saying a bit about grandpa. I learned so much about the amazing life he led, as a physician, husband, and a father. He was the first ENT in the Hayward area, built a hospital there, and was a huge part of the community, among much more. The viewing was an interesting experience for me. The room was filled with many loved ones greeting each other and enjoying each other's company. It was interesting to me becuase it didn't seem like a sad occasion at all. Certainly everyone will miss my Grandpa, and there were some tears from his immediate family, but we all knew it was his time, and that he had led an amazing life. Even though the volume level was extremely high due to the greetings during the viewing, it didn't feel irreverent or disrespectful. It felt like everyone was celebrating his life. I am so glad for the knowlege the gospel brings. I have no doubt I will see my Grandpa again- and it won't be the frail old man who didn't know my name, it will be the amazing man everyone talked about.
The hardest thing about the event was my Grandmother. She seemed to be having a much harder time. No matter how long a couple gets to be together in this life, it is always hard for someone to loose their beloved spouse. They had been married for 65 years! I am guessing she is feeling a bit lost without him. I will just pray that she will feel the comfort she needs.
So- a few pictures (I wasn't very good at getting my camera out, shame on me, so there are only a few pictures!):
My most loved sisters Laura and Shauna. I love spending time with them- they will always be my most truest of friends.
Being at my grandma's house always brings back so many childhood memories. One of my cousins said it was "stuck in time"- and it is so true! Being there at Christmas time and seeing her Christmas tree especially brought back memories of being a small child. We used to be there every Christmas until we moved to Spokane when I was almost 9. The hardest was seeing my Grandpa's empty chair. Everything about California brings me back to being a kid. I was old enough to remember clearly living there, but young enough that the memories are more in smells and little details. As a kid you spend a lot of time looking at the ground and the interesting things there. I went on a walk with my sister and marveled at how familiar the ground looked- the acorns, the eucalyptus tree leaves (and especially the smell of the trees) . . . At my grandma's house the smells, the furniture, the classical music, the manicured japanese garden brought me back to being a small child.
Here is me in my grandma's backyard- in which I can remember exploring and playing on the winding little paths and pond with my sisters for hours:
Another memory I have is of the lemon tree. The smell of it took me back!! My brother Brian was brave enough to actually eat one straight of the tree! He said it tasted like sour candy because it was so ripe. He still had to make the sour face though!
Here is a picture of our family group with Grandma. From left to right: Brian, Laura and her baby Rachel, Steve, Grandma (Gerry), Dad (Doug), Mom (Marilyn), Shauna and Me (Becky).
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