Saying Goodbye

Last week was Oh So Hard.

As we were driving away from Eric's parent's house, everyone had a really hard time.  This goodbye just felt so different.  Eric said leaving his mother was the hardest thing he has done.  I completely agree.

While he drove, Eric told me a story he had illustrated in one of his recent talks at church.  He said that when he was small, he used to look at his dad's hands.  They were so big and strong, so capable of so many things.  He desperately wanted to be like that, and to be like him.  He finished the thought, linking it to our individual potential for good and service to others.  The story in the talk ended there, but now there is another special ending to that story.  Eric's mom gave him his dad's wedding ring before we left.  It fit Eric's hand perfectly.  As we were driving, he kept looking down at the ring on his hand, and it looked so much like his father's hand resting there.  Now his hands ARE like his father's, and he will honor his father's memory by continuing to use them for good and service to others.

The funeral was very beautiful.  The grandchildren sang "Families Can Be Together Forever" and "I Am a Child of God."  I'm sure that Grandpa was smiling down on them, he so loved to hear them sing!  Patty (Brady's sister) gave the life sketch, which was both warm and humorous, reflecting the sense of humor and also the sensitivity of this man.  There was one thing that was very clear -- family was everything to Brady.  He was always surrounded by family, and that was just how he liked it.  There are hardly any pictures of him that do not also include someone he loved.  He usually had a grandkid or two climbing all over him!

Flowers from the grandkids to their grandpa. These are his clubs. He LOVED to golf, and greatly missed it when he became so sick.

It was a beautiful sunny day.

All of the flowers were so beautiful.  They were bright sunny colors, with plenty of Brady's favorite -- yellow.

Eric saying goodbye to his dad.

After the graveside service, the family returned to the church and enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches for lunch, one of Brady's favorites.  We showed a slide show that I put together.  I had spent the previous two days pouring over old photo albums, scanning in the pictures.  It was wonderful to see his life up there on the screen!

The best part, though, was being all together as a family.

This is Brady's legacy.  He lives on with each of his grandchildren.  We will never forget his selfless service to others, quiet strength in enduring through the final struggles of his life, or driving devotion to his family.  I am so grateful for him and the profound influence he has had on his family. 

We miss him so much.