On the late night of February 7, 2018 my Father passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack. There are more details to this story but I am keeping them for my personal journal. If you want to know more than whats on this blog (which I keep around to keep in touch with faraway friends but also to compliment my personal journal) then reach out to me.
My Mom and my other siblings will miss my Dad tremendously. It has been two months since his passing and I am still working through lots of layers of grief. Finding a new rhythm without him here has been so so hard. It will be hard for a while and that is okay.
This post will document the celebration of his life through his funeral and his most recent birthday.
My sister, brother, and sister in law and I gathered up lots of photos of my Dad for a really cool photo montage. We had the montage playing during the viewings.
It was really cool to see all the photos and have a flood of memories return from my youth. I see a lot of my brothers in my Dad from each season he was in.
We displayed some photos and some a lot of my Dads art work. My Dad is very talented. He drew and painted and was in a few ukulele bands.
The luncheon in Utah
Lots of family and dear friends from all around came.
I love my cousins. They lost their Father 8 years ago and they have been so supportive.
My amazing niece!!
One of my Dads band played at the funeral and then played additional fun songs at the luncheon. It was awesome. I am sure my Dad was right next to them jamming out.
My Mom, Sister, and I
My handsome brothers
All of us.
His funeral was in Utah and his burial was in Idaho.
The next day we traveled to his hometown.
A refreshing break from our travels at my Aunts home.
My Dad's classmates made this beautiful wreath.
Cousins and siblings
Beautiful pictures from the burial
My husband and son
A stunning pic my Mother in law gave me.
Stark cousins
My Uncle keeping the place clean
All our kids playing together
Flowers my Dads siblings put together. SO lovely!
After the burial and luncheon we all went back to the hotel and swam and relaxed and then had a big family dinner.
Liv was ready for sleep and running on fumes.
The hotel was nice and had a delicious breakfast
We went home shortly after breakfast in a hurry to go help Lars Mom take care of his Dad.
My Dads Birthday is March 18, he would have been 70. We got together has a family and had a big pizza party to celebrate. It was nice but so hard too. I love being with my family and am so happy we have pulled together through this very difficult time.
I am so grateful that my family is forever. I am Mormon and know that through the Gospel I live my family will be together not just in this life but afterwards. My Dad did a great work on this earth and his work is continuing on still. I still miss him and will forever but how awesome that because Jesus lives we all will as well. :)
