Thoughts on Mormon Funerals

My Grandmother passed away almost two weeks ago, and she was the last of my grandparents to pass. I have had an interesting mix of emotions these past weeks and I have gone through this process. It may be strange to some that I would feel happy at my Grandma's passing, but if they understood why then it is not so strange. Understanding what we believe happens to a person after they die is a major part of this. (Here's a link to explain the Heavenly Father's plan for us)

 My Grandma became a widow about 20 years ago.  She and my Grandpa were beautiful sweethearts.  I always knew they loved each other and we all ached for her that she was left without her best friend to be a companion with her for the rest of her life.  Through this great trial, there is also a blessing, because of this great loneliness, she was able to spend a lot more time staying with her children and grandchildren.

I loved having Grandma live at our house during my high school years.  She would say all those phrases that will stick in my mind for the rest of my life.  She woke every morning so thankful to be in such a beautiful sunny place.  She was always interested in what I had planned for the day.  She would sit and play happy, marching songs on the piano for hours at a time.  Other times she would sit quietly and crochet baby blanket for all her great-grandchildren.  I loved listening to her tell the story of how hard it was to be short and how the custodian would curse as he moved the block of wood she had under her feet to help her in penmanship.  I loved how she would start tap dancing through our kitchen.  She was always willing to sing and dance with me.  My sister came home from a trip with a coconut bra as a souvenir and we were all laughing and trying it on as we did the hula around the room.  Grandma came in and to our surprise she put the bra on too and started dancing around.

 

Grandma was always ready to join in and have fun with us.  I love her so much, and she has become the real Grandma in my life.  I am so thankful for her love and patients and endurance.  She is truly my friend.  I love her so much.

 

Empty Eggs

What started as empty eggs became a hunt around the house for the meaning of Easter!

In case you don't want to try to read the [long] narrative, here are the scriptures we used:

1. Carpenter's Son, Matt. 13:55
2. Lamb of God, John 1:29
3. Bread of Life, John 6:35
4. True Vine, John 15:1, 5
5. Light of the World, John 8:12
6. Messenger of the Covenant, Malachi 3:1

Egg Decorating
Here are some of the decorated eggs: (l-r, t-b: David, Benjamin, Rebecca, Maryann)



Here is an expanded view of Maryann's egg:



Easter Morning
Each of the baskets has a single, empty egg (empty like the tomb on resurrection morning).



The children were understandably confused.



The envelope had a scripture pointing to a reference about people who were also confused and thought Christ was only the Carpenter's Son, Matt. 13:55.



To the Garage!



Another envelope had a scripture referring to Christ as the Lamb of God, John 1:29.



To the stuffed lambs on Benji's bed!



This one had a scripture reference to Christ as the Bread of Life, John 6:35.

To the kitchen!



This one had a reference to the True Vine, John 15:1, 5



To the Florida room!



Another scripture pointing us to the Light of the World, John 8:12.




To the only light that was on in the house!



The reference of Christ as Messenger of the Covenant (Malachi 3:1) was prefaced with a brief description of the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and comparing the pressed olives to the strain Christ felt while suffering.

To the mailbox!



Where we found cans of olives.



Which everyone loved.



So what started out as a single, empty egg, became baskets overflowing with great gifts.

And we remembered that Easter is more than candy, too.

The Wonder of Walking

Here is our little one-yr-old walking like a pro (with a bit of encouragement):