A very busy week....

The trip home to Lexington on Tuesday went quite well. Sam was a little drooly but not as bad as I'd expected. Mama traveled much better than I thought she would as well. She wanted to go to the visitation so we went out to dinner at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Winchester and then on to the church. The line to talk to the family was very long. Someone said they stood in line over an hour. I think some were there longer. Because Mama was so shaky and using her cane she was escorted directly down the aisle and I went with her. It was very painful to see how many people were hurting because Aunt Ruth had died. It was especially touching when Uncle Frank realized who Mama was and just grabbed her and hugged her. He told her he wasn't sure she would make it, that Aunt Ruth loved her and my Dad so much and that he was glad she had been able to come. They cried together and we spoke to each of the family and then I took Mama to sit down.



As I was nearing the end of the line I saw Bill and Sue Neismith. It had been a long time and I was very glad to see them. John came down and talked with them as well. Elizabeth, Matt, and Case were there. Amy, Tim, and Avery had already been and gone. Jeremiah, Rachel, Catherine, Caleb, Shea, JaLin and Raiden were all there as well. It must have been a long day for the Leitchfield crew since they were planning to go back home that evening.



Stanley or Albert had told me that Jack Clark was there and was waiting to meet me. After talking with the Neismiths I went up to check on Mama. She wanted to know which couple were the Jack Clarks so I went to investigate. Stanley pointed them out to me and I went over and introduced myself. I had seen them earlier while talking to Sue and thought they looked familiar. However, I'd never met them so I don't know why I felt that way. They were very sweet and said they came that night because they had to open their store the next day.



JaLin wanted me to read her a book but neither she nor I had brought any so I asked her if I could just tell her a story. She was happy with that idea. Catherine heard us talking and wanted to hear a story too. JaLin listened very closely while Catherine interrupted over and over. I don't think she thought the story was all that great!



We all returned home thankful to find that Mattie and Sam had been very well behaved. Nothing had been chewed or broken. Mama slept in my room with the beautiful decorations Avery put up for me. I slept with John (ear plus all around) and Marie slept on the couch.



During the night Sam and Mattie got Marie up two or three times. I think they just wanted some attention.



That morning after breakfast Mary Sue came over to ride with us. We were fortunate enough (for the second time) to get a parking place right by the church's back door. That made it much easier for Mama. She sat with Amy and Elizabeth and also Marie and Mary Sue. John and I sat on the same row just across the aisle.

I must say that I agree with Amy that this was the nicest funeral I've been to. It was truly a celebration of the life of a very special woman. The minister did an excellent job explaining that we can't earn our way into salvation and went on to tell of many of the things Aunt Ruth did every day, week, etc. He also displayed her bible with all the colored highlighting she'd done and even read a couple of sticky notes in the back. He left us wanting to be more like her.

Vonda gave the eulogy. She did an excellent job! It was difficult for her to speak but she not only told us about Aunt Ruth but also gave us examples that allowed us to laugh. "Albert Milton, Stanley Robert, get on in this house." (and telling about the cow bell Aunt Ruth used to get their attention when they were out playing in the neighborhood). Vonda sounded just like her! She mentioned her special relationship with Elizabeth due to them sharing a birthday.

(I've asked Vonda for a copy of the Eulogy and she's said she will get one to me.)

We did not go to the cemetery. Mama was doing well but still very unsteady on her feet. She couldn't have walked on the uneven ground. Kim was kind enough to get someone to take us to the elevator and take Mama down to the reception hall. We sat at a table and waited for the others to get back. One of Aunt Ruth's Circle friends came over, offered us drinks, and talked about Aunt Ruth for a while.

While others were going through the line, Uncle Frank came over and talked to John for a while. He told him that at the cemetery he had asked them to open the casket, that he just wanted to see her one last time. Then their talk turned to UK Basketball (Aunt Ruth's only sport) and they were able to laugh about how she would have enjoyed the game the day before.

Uncle Frank said he wasn't hungry but John was able to get him to fill a plate. Then he went and sat with some of his church friends.

The tables were decorated with some of the angel statues that Aunt Ruth loved so much. There was also a pink rose on each table. The ladies of the circle and the church had made the side dishes and desserts. The chicken must have come from KFC. It was all delicious. Albert sat with us and talked about his mom and told us more about her last few days. He said he was glad she never had to know about the lung cancer they found after they drained her lungs. She was peaceful at the end and told the nurses that she was "going home today".

I was able to talk with Aunt Ruth's friend Donna (she used to be a nun but left, married, and converted to Methodism). I also met Uncle Frank's relative, BeBe Fox. She's 93 and about 4'9". She had the bluest eyes. I enjoyed talking with her. I met a lot of other of her friends but I can't remember their names except for Calistra Ledford. Her late husband was Homer Ledford, a musician and dulcimer maker. Uncle Frank introduced us. He told someone that asked that he would be back there that evening to eat, just like every other Wednesday night. I felt relieved to know he was planning to continue with regular routines.

We finally left and came home. Sam had chewed on Marie's bag's handles (I replaced the bag yesterday). You could tell they had been playing and jumping onto and off of the furniture. Once the bag was on the floor I guess he thought it was fair game. That night, John brought home a pizza to bake and we all went to bed early.

The next day we came home. Tired, tired, tired. Mama has slept almost nonstop since we got back. She finally woke up a little yesterday afternoon and evening.

It was a sad, yet uplifting trip and I'm glad we could go.