A Precious Life Remembered

Well, my friends, I thought my next post would be the pictures Mom and I got from the Arboretum, but, sadly, I am going to instead post about my dear Uncle Kenneth's passing away.  This past Wednesday, Mom and I (Dad's out of the country) went down to College Station to be with my uncle, aunt and cousins.  Uncle Kenneth was not doing well at all due to complications from a surgery.  We knew that his time here on earth would most likely be short.  On Thursday afternoon he went to be with Jesus and we were so blessed to be with him when he died.  Uncle Kenneth has been such a special part of our family.  I know it will be very strange at Christmas time to visit and him not be there.  Even these past few days I'll see someone out of the corner of my eye and think, "oh, that's Uncle Kenneth" only to remember that he's not here with us.  But, even though I am sad, I'm reminded of what was said yesterday at his funeral: we do not mourn as those who have no hope.  We have a blessed hope in Christ Jesus that Uncle Kenneth is with Him, and we will see him again.

Sweet Uncle Kenneth...we will miss him.

Even though it was a sad time, we did greatly enjoy spending time with our family.  Of course, we brought the camera and managed to get some pictures.

As we left the hospital the night Uncle Kenneth died, we looked up and saw one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.  Even in times of sorrow, God is so good to give us these little blessings along the way.

We stayed busy around my cousin Mary's house.  Everyone, of course, is a princess...well, I think we decided that Peyton is a prince (and I'm a bunny, according to Lyndi.)

Peyton and I bonded over these past few days.  Love that little guy.

Handing the baby over.

Peyton had never met Uncle Calvin, but they started their friendship off really well.  Uncle Kenneth's death meant that my Aunt Carol and her family came in.  I hadn't seen them in years since they moved to South Dakota.  It was a great family reunion.

The visitation was on Sunday night.  I was amazed at all the people that came.  I knew my uncle was loved, but wow!  Uncle Kenneth was captain of the deputy sheriff reserves, so there was an honor guard all through the visitation.  Every ten minutes was the changing of the guard between the sheriff department and the police department.  Wow, what respect and how moving it was to watch that take place.  I am so grateful for the honor they gave to Uncle Kenneth.  This picture was taken when the visitation was over...this was after three hours of standing in heels, Lyndi and I were discussing how incredibly painful that is (what girls will put themselves through). 

   Don't you love Kaylee's smile?  This is with my sweet Aunt Jan.

With Mom, who continually amazes me with her strength and wonderfulness.

Back at Mary's house (who you will see soon)... Lyndi and I were happy to be out of our heels.

Mary (Uncle Kenneth's daughter), Aunt Carol, me and Allen (Aunt Carol's son).

We were getting tired (can you tell?:)

Here, we're showing off Allen's striped pants, pretty snazzy don't ya think?

Yesterday (Monday) was the funeral.  We weren't sure how many people would be there since there were so many at the visitation, but the chapel was completely full and so was the overflow.  We're estimating about 400 people came.  Wow.  The processional to the cemetery was also amazing, since Uncle Kenneth and his son James work with the sheriff's department, there were a lot of escorts.  It was so amazing to drive by the intersections and see the deputy sheriffs standing at attention.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture.

 

Jeff also came down and was a pallbearer, so was Allen.

I'm not sure why five of us are detached from the rest of the group...oh well.   I thought about typing out all the names, but thought that would be too confusing.  Basically, everyone is either a cousin, uncle, aunt, brother or mom.  (That narrows it down for you, doesn't it?)

Sisters.  Mom and Aunt Carol both have beautiful voices and used to sing duets together when they were kids.  They sang It is Well With My Soul at Uncle Kenneth's funeral...it was truly beautiful.

L-R: Allen, Jeff, Peyton, Me, Lyndi, and Kaylee

A cousin moment.

Please keep our family in your prayers these coming days, now that things have slowed down it's going to be hard for some of us, but we are grateful for loving friends, family and above all, a Comforter who will never leave us. 

 

One last thing.  On a happy note, my dear Lydia gave birth to a beautiful baby girl early Sunday morning (early as in 12:43 am).  Here's a pic. they sent out over the e-mail:

Abigail Elise

Congratulations Lydia and Kerry!!!!