It's good to be back home, although I still don't know where we're going to put everything but that will come. Friday was a busy day, with a couple of last minute get togethers with friends. I was at Nancy's in Rockwood at 8:00 am and then back to Patti's to change in time to meet Jana for lunch at the Boathouse. From there out to the airport to drop the car off to Lloyd just in time for Greg to pick me up for a ride to the funeral. It was a jam packed house, a true testament to the impact Jean had on so many lives. The parking lot was packed and cars were lined up a great distance down the road in both directions. It wasn't as warm as it had been the previous two days which was a good thing with standing room only in the church. It was a lovely service and Patti and her cousin and sister did an amazing job with the eulogy. After the grave side service, it was back inside to have something to eat and socialize with people I hadn't seen in a number of years. I was a little disappointed my good friend Cathy wasn't there but she was away for work. I did get to talk to her mother and brothers so that was nice. Another old friend, Judy, and her husband were there and we spent a few minutes reminiscing about her annual Valentine's Day luncheon that was always such a beautiful and festive occasion. I think of her every year on the 14th of February.
While everyone was inside, they church people completed the burial, under the close supervision of the younger children who were intruqued by the equipment being used. When it was complete the kids spent considerable time arranging the flowers on top of the freshly packed earth. It provided an impromptu photo opportunity that I couldn't resist capturing. The funeral home had put together a hard cover book with the photos the family provided and Dorothy, Jean's sister in law, wants to use this one at the very end.
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| Some of Jean's grandchildren, great nephews and niece. |
When everything was done, we headed back to Guelph. Lloyd and I were meeting Heather and Kim for supper and Patti and Tristen were heading to Lacrosse. So I suggested that James and Meghan could come with us for supper (it did give me a little more time with them but didn't give me much opportunity for visiting with Heather and Kim). Tiny and his wife, Bev, from the airport also joined us. It had been a busy day for all of us and it was off to bed pretty much as soon as we got home.
Saturday morning dawned clear and warm and we were on the road by 6:20, pretty much on schedule for the final trip to the island. We had a good trip. We had planned to stop somewhere over night but neither of us were particularly tired so after stopping in Edmundston, NB to buy a new tarp and more tie down straps (the load had shifted and the original tarp was badly torn) we re-secured everything and decided to just keep going. We arrived home at 5:00 am on Sunday morning. After 4 hours sleep I was up to go and get the dog at the kennel. The rest of the morning was spent having breakfast at the Van Gaals.
Once we got back home, we set about the task of unloading the trailer. It's now empty and the boxes are in the house. Some are empty, others are still waiting but we will get there. We're having everyone over for lobster on Saturday night so that will give us a deadline. I do seem to work better under pressure!
Lloyd's job was to start full time today but due to some order scheduling conflicts they won't be up and running until next Tuesday but he is still going to be doing some hours this week although we don't know yet how many.
It's good to be home and together for our 23rd anniversary today, that we will properly celebrate on Saturday with friends and the last lobster feed of the season.
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