The Beauty of Funerals

We had anticipated only going west once this year for Nate's family reunion in Idaho.  But on July 28th, my Grandpa Gillis passed away so the kids, my brother, Jon, and I loaded up Peter Pan, the Beater Van, and headed to Utah.

This cute man was my role model, my teacher, a good example of kindness and gentleness and was goodnatured. He gave me my love of bicycles and the outdoors. Helped to teach me that hard work and then fun-play are good things. He was the one who baptized me a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was influential at my wedding. I'm happy to think that he is greeting my sister, Giselle and all his other loved ones. But I will miss my Grandpa Gillis and his smile.  

The beauty of funerals, though, is that they get the family together again.  I imagine that this is how it is when someone dies on the other side of the veil too.  Everyone gets together to welcome him home and there is much rejoicing and hugging and such joy at being able to see one another again!  

Daughters sharing chairs with Great-Grandmothers (this is Elise and Great Grandma Elsie, one of whom she was named after)...

...sons snuggling up to Great Grandmothers too (her papa's name is Max, just like his)...

 

...seeing dear friends, extra mothers...

 ...and more dads...

 

...friends who shaped one's life from childhood...
 

...siblings back together...


 ...And ancestors/progenitors all together in one place.  

Yes, funerals are beautiful!

Here are a few mementos that are reminders of my grandfather or that he loved:

His faithfulness to his country and love of freedom and patriotism.

His love of fishing (and bike riding, but we couldn't bring the tandem into the funeral home).

His love of outdoors and, yes, John Wayne.  He had a no-nonsense attitude toward learning and teaching, and a toughness and simple bluntness, much like you see in John Wayne.  

This last picture is a great illustration of Grandpa Gillis, waiting patiently for others, watching people around him (usually to see where he can help), and holding a tithing envelope in his hand, ready to give to those in need all with his quiet grin, a small glimpse into his mischievous personality: the man who asked God to let him catch the bouquet of wedding flowers when Giselle threw it and who always offered us ice cream before bed, then he'd say, "just don't let your mom know".  *wink*