The memorial service

was on Sunday, Dec. 4. We left our church services early to get to Clermont and meet Sheila and Michael by noon. We went to Panera and had lunch, then to the church, as the family was supposed to be there at 1:00.
It was great to see the family. My sister Cindy was there also. She originally said she could not afford to come, but was able to after all. So all 4 of us were there, me, Chip, Cindy and Gayle. Really odd to talk of the 4 of us rather than the 5. My cousin, Monte was also able to come.
At the front was a picture of Mellan and the urn with her ashes. The urn was perfect, pink flowers. She really liked pastels.
The service started just after 2 pm. There were probably 100 - 125 people there. The preacher, Dawn, did a really nice job. She read several scriptures and the piece that Richard had written as a good-bye. My nephew, Rick, read a piece he had written about the mom that she was. He choked up at the very end and barely got the last paragraph out. I was given the mike to read my poem I had written about being sisters. Due to practicing a lot, I made it all the way thru. Had not been able to do that at home without stopping to cry. Amanda, her 10 yr old granddaughter read a letter she had written to her grandmom.
The floor was opened for anyone to tell someway that Mellan was special to them. Had several speak. Chip was the last one and he could not finish, got too choked. So someone else spoke. Then Chip decided he was ready, but once again could not finish.
The reception afterwards was really nice and it was good to have a chance to speak with everyone.
We got home about 5 pm and were just exhausted, so did not attend evening services. I think Don and I both knew that people would ask and we would break down.
Thanks to everyone for you prayers and sympathy. It has been and will continue to be a trying time.
God Bless