goodbye to a wonderful mother-in-law

Today was a sad/glory filled day. We prepared for the funeral. We had not rested well last night and were up a bit earlier than usual. We went to Geneva and greeted those who could come to the final rites. Most of the attendees were family members: Bob and Evelyn, John and Dixie, their sons Rick and Justin with his wife Kystie and their daughters Kaleigh and Kara, Miz and Pauline, their daughters Carla, Patty and Claudia’s husband Jack, Louise (Evelyn’s former secretary) and some others I have forgotten. I read some scripture, or rather blubbered through some. I took a while to understand why I cried more at this funeral than I did at my own mother’s and realized that it might have been because this was the last of our parents to leave us. I dearly loved both my mothers but am confident they are both in the loving arms of the Savior. Pastor Judy of Mom’s church delivered a marvelous message recalling Olive’s life but presenting the Gospel message giving Christ the glory He deserves. I wish more Lutheran pastors would understand that this can be done. We had a mock interment ceremony because it has rained so much during the past week that the backhoe could not even get to the gravesite to dig the grave. We had a dinner after the funeral and learned we could pay our Medicare supplement with pre-taxed dollars from our Social Security. We rushed to Fort Wayne to meet both with our financial advisor and our accountant. We then went to have dinner with our dear friends, the Grotrians, who served the wonderful rhubarb cake Janet makes. We returned home and went to bed early, praying that our part would arrive tomorrow.