Dignified and Beautiful

Eulogy

My father-in-love's funeral yesterday was dignified and beautiful from start to finish. The way the details came together during preparations, despite some hiccups, was amazing. My husband wrote and delivered the most wonderful and warm eulogy I have ever heard, giving honour to his father and pointing people to Jesus through the testimony of his father's life.

A retired minister with whom my father-in-love (also an ordained Anglican minister) had worked, led the service in our local Anglican Cathedral and shared a great message. Everything about the funeral seemed just right.

We caught up with family and friends over light refreshments after the funeral.

Close family from several states gathered together for a meal overlooking the river as evening arrived.

We are overwhelmed with a great sense of satisfaction, love and family closeness. Today we have been enjoying the company of these wonderful family members, saying our reluctant farewells as each group heads off to drive and fly back to their own homes. We couldn't have hoped for a more fitting end to the life story of one we all dearly loved and respected.

Sharing at Our World Tuesday.

Preparations

Most Aussies are comfortable wearing casual clothes nearly all the time, especially in the country areas.
But my husband rightly pointed out that our children's best clothes, Tshirts and shorts with runners/sneakers for footwear, are simply too casual for their Grandfather's upcoming funeral. Several shopping expeditions have been required to source multiple skirts, shirts/blouses, trousers and shoes for our eight children. There is also a hint of excitement after their initial hesitation.

Miss E (5) was delighted to find some sparkly, silver flats today for her footwear, just what she was looking for - so thrilled in fact that she wore them all afternoon until one of the elastic bands broke! I've had the sewing machine out to repair them. There'll be the boys' trousers to shorten tomorrow too......

I also want to express a big THANK YOU to everyone for your kind and understanding words, thoughts and prayers, they mean a lot to us, especially at this time. Things are coming together very well (at last) towards Thursday's funeral and all the family is coping better than expected. And I must say, the children look very smart and more mature in their new clothes!

Hovering

My dear father-in-love is hovering between this life and the next today, ready to leave, just like this Blue Triangle butterfly in my garden this morning. My husband and my mother-in-love are both with him in the aged care centre where the care they have all received has been wonderful. Peace and comfort reign and release for him will come soon. Hallelujah.


Update: Just before 5pm today the hovering ceased and release happened. He is now free, safe in the arms of our Saviour, reunited with his mother, sister, his eldest son and others who have gone before him. Peace.


Sharing at Weekly Top Shot, Sweet Shot Tuesday.

Between the Showers

A weather beaten Blue Triangle butterfly tries to dry out between showers of rain.

2005, the year of their 50th wedding anniversary

Sunday afternoon

 It is SO good that my parents in law are now together. We visit my parents in law at the aged care centre often, trying to add a little sunshine to their days. My father in law's 83 year old "little" brother and his wife flew in from interstate to visit over the weekend also.

Another flood creeps up the walls of the sailing club building on Sunday evening, our third flood in the space of 5 weeks. This one was relatively minor. In the last 38 days we have had more than two thirds of our average annual rainfall. We've had rain on all but 9 of the last 38 days, with light showers forecast for each day this week also.

We look for and rejoice at pieces of blue sky.

Early this morning we had a little sunshine, great for helping insects, washing and the garden dry out a little before taking shelter from the next shower....


Sharing at Our World Tuesday.

God is Good...

...all the time.

My father-in-love's health has declined rapidly over the last three weeks, multiple health issues and age are catching up with him very quickly. The doctor has suggested he has little time left, fewer weeks than you can count on one hand.

He has been cared for wonderfully in the aged care centre which he moved into on Christmas Eve. His 86th birthday is late this month but all would be both delighted and also very sad if he has passed on to heaven by that time. His faith in Jesus's saving grace is unshakable, heaven awaits, along with family and friends who have gone before him.

Late this week a permanent bed become available in the same aged care centre for my mother-in-law, only a few rooms away from my father-in-law's room. She has moved in already, now they are able to spend these last precious days together again. God has been very good to us all.