Mom's Funeral

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that it was my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!
Friday morning we got up early to get ready and head off to the church for the second viewing and the funeral. Tom's sister, Maren and her husband Tim came over to help get the kids ready and bring them later. I didn't feel the same high that I had felt the night before at the other viewing. I knew the week was coming to an end and it made everything just a little harder. We then gathered with just family before going in to the funeral. The Governor of Utah was there and said a few words, then Tom said the family prayer. It was such an emotional time. We all got to see mom one last time and say our goodbye's. All of the grandkids had written a letter or had drawn a picture for Grandma Sherri. They put them in the casket with her.
Aimee and I got to put the veil over her face, then they wrapped her up and closed the casket. Cedric had a worried look on his face as they did this as if thinking, wait Grandma's still in there! When we all settled into the chapel for the viewing Cedric just started crying. When I asked him what was wrong he was crying so hard I couldn't understand him. I think he saw the casket again and was worried about grandma, or he could sense the feeling in the room. Every time someone started crying, he'd start up again. We were doing all we could to distract him. We had everyone involved in the funeral. Our spouses (the in-law children of Mom) did prayers, and the Eulogy, the grandkids all sang "I am a Child of God" and all of us children spoke. Right before it was my turn to speak my brother, Nate played a song he wrote and dedicated to my mom called "dances". While Nate was playing his song, Cedric was pointing up at the ceiling and I could see his eyes moving as if he was watching the angels, and perhaps even my mom up there dancing to the music. The spirit was so strong in the room. Here is my talk that I gave...
I don't think I ever appreciated my mom as much as I did when I became a mom myself. My mom taught us children so many great principles.
Mom taught us to make work fun. I remember growing as a young child playing "store" where my mom would sit in our toy closet and have us bring her toys to "buy" as we picked up, then she would sort them in the right bin. When we did our jobs, one would be feed the 'tiger' or the 'dragon', which really meant put the laundry in the hamper or down the laundry chute. I remember spring cleaning when we'd have the windows open and music on as we'd put away our winter clothes and brought out our summer clothes. I remember her doing my hair on Sunday mornings in her bathroom listening to music and I would always say "do it like Aunt Jill's hair". You know, that feathery 80's hairdo.
Mom taught us to serve and love everyone. I remember when my mom was the Merry Miss leader in our church ward. She would do activities with the girls ages 10 & 11 and I got to be a part of that. I saw her reach out to each one of those girls, no matter who they were or their personal circumstances and she loved them as much as she loved us, her own children. Later, she was a leader in the Young Women's program where I got to go to girls camp with her and again, see her love and service for others shining through. Often she would rope me into free babysitting jobs or what-not, because she new someone needed that help and wanted us to also have the benefits of serving others. She truly lived up to the saying "see a need, fill a need".
Mom taught us the importance of developing talents. Whether it be academics, politics, music or acting we each had talents that my mom took pride in. I remember as a teenager driving a half hour each way to my flute lessons with my mom. Not only did she sacrifice for and support my talent, but we had that opportunity once a week to be together, just the two of us.
Mom taught us the importance of listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Sometimes my mom would know things about us before we did. For example, when Tom and I were dating, I was up at Ricks college and I got a call one day from my mom who told me she had booked the temple for the wedding. My reaction was "is someone getting married?" Tom and I were not even engaged yet, however we ended up getting married the day my mom picked, just over three months after that phone call. I'm still happy to this day for her inspiration.
Mom taught us to cherish family. My mom and dad were at the hospital when everyone of my children were born. Even when I had a C-section, they were there in the waiting room waiting. And I know my mom will be there when my daughter is born this December, even if it's just in spirit.
Almost three years ago I had the opportunity to go with my mom to Oklahoma for my great-grandma Dollie's 95th birthday. It was just me, her & my infant son, Cedric . We also met up with my Uncle Jim and other relatives from her dad's family there. But I will always be grateful for that spontaneous weekend I got to have with my mom.
At my mom's birthday dinner last Friday, we were teasing her about saving all of our birthday cards we've given her. She made the comment that if anything happened to us, she wanted to always have those cards to remind her of our love. Now the tables have turned and we are the ones cherishing every card, note, or message our mom has given us. She loved her family.
Mom taught us to always hold strong to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I loved the times I got to go with her to the temple. One of the biggest highlights of my mom's life was when my youngest brother, Isaac went through the temple for the first time because the whole family was there together. What an honor for her to know that all of her children made the choice to be there.
The last time I saw my mom was at my daughter, Lily's baptism on Saturday night. I watched as my mom had a quick one-on-one moment with her and proudly gave Lily her gift. I couldn't pick a better final get-together then that. I am so grateful she was able to be there.
I know my mom is happy. I know she is with those loved ones who have passed on. She lived a wonderful, fulfilling life. I'm so grateful she taught me these principles and what it means to be a mom. I'll miss you mom!
The funeral lasted exactly an hour and then we headed off in the parade of police escorts, Hurst, limo's and cars to the cemetery. As we drove past the fire-station they had a big American flag hanging from the ladder and all the fire-fighters were standing out there in uniform. All the sons, sons-in-law and the oldest grandson got to be the Pallbearers.
My uncle Jim did the dedicatory prayer and we all placed our flowers on the casket. There were so many flowers at the church and grave. My cousin, Ned who helped with all of this said they got close to 100 flowers!
We did family pictures.




I tried to keep Cedric from throwing sticks into the grave and the weather was mild with just a small threat of rain. So many people had said they had seen rainbows that day too.
We went back to the church for the luncheon and then the rain started to pour. Tom and I said our goodbye's to each other as he headed off to Logan for the Top of Utah Marathon he did yesterday morning and I headed home for a much needed nap. That night we met at my brother's house for dinner and my cousin, Alana who was home from Alaska came to stay the night with me since Tom was gone. It really helped to have her here. She helped me put kids to bed and do dishes. Saturday she played games with Jeff and Cedric and Lily and I made a homemade doll. She did an amazing job on it and named the doll "Sherri" after Grandma Sherri. I went over to my dad's house once again to finish putting pictures away and we just stayed home together as a family that night when Tom got back.
Today was a really hard day. I didn't get a lot of sleep and church was hard. We got together at my brother's house one more time to eat more left-overs and say goodbye to my grandparents before they head back to Seattle tomorrow. We visit my mom's grave every time we are there since it's right across the street from my brother and my dad's homes.
Now life goes on. It feels like the let-down you get after the holidays or a vacation. I know the loss of my mom will come off and on to me the next while. But I know she is happy and someday I will get to see her again. I love you mom!