Pictures from Sara's Funeral

Sara's funeral was very moving.  It is good to come together and review someone's life, and that is what we were able to do.  There were many positive things said about my sister.  Weldon took the primary roll in talking about Sara for the siblings, but we all shared.  Joey took the responsibility for the siblings, and  Breanna, Kayla and Kassidi for the grandchildren.  It made for a very effective service.  I sang, as did Dillon and Garret.  

Charlene and Max

Clyde, Krista, Geneve, Breanna, Kassidi

Joey, Linsay, Garret, Kathy

Joshua, Chelsea, Sheri

Clyde's sister-in-law, his brother Paul, Mark, Dianna, Joshua

Adam and Shelly

Dillon, Sue, Weldon

Dustin, Jason, friend, Addison

Max, Charlene, Connie, Charlie

Clyde

Geneve, Breanna, Kassidi, Joey, Kayla

granddaughters Kassidi, Kayla, Breanna

Grandsons and Clyde

not in order, Tyler, Garret, Brice, Devin, Zachary, Brayden,Tanner, Dilon,  

Weldon

Charlie, Dianna, Connie, Weldon, Billy

Sheri and Lila Sue

The Passing of My Sister

I don't think words can express the loss I feel at the passing of my sister.  I am not good at this thing called death.  I never know what to say.  I never know if I can give enough or adequate comfort.  Sara was the oldest of us six children.  She was always there since the day I was born.  But I am having a hard time wrapping around the idea that I will no longer associate with her in this life.  At the funeral, I noticed everyone was avoiding to go into the room for the viewing.  They were more interested in seeing my sister alive, watching the movie of her life, and looking at the picture.  I finally ventured down.  It was hard.  At first I thought, that doesn't look anything like my sister, but as I moved to a different angle, it looked more like her.  It was hard, I teared up and cried freely.  I didn't touch her body.  I just couldn't bring myself to do that.  Sheri later asked if I said goodbye.  I don't know if I did, but I told her I cried.  I don't know, is that saying goodbye?
Sara had a beautiful service.  Many nice a humorous and good things were said.  The bishop said we should not think of our loved ones being taken from us.  God does not take in such a way.  However, we are without their association for a time.  That is the hard part.
There are of course people who will miss Sara's association more than I.  These include her husband Clyde, her children and grandchildren.  They all live in the Boise area.  They would have had if not daily, frequent contact with her.  How do you give that up?

I Talked to my Oldest Sister: Sara!

Many of you may know my sister has had a rough time of it the last few months.  We saw her in August in Utah as we were bringing Caleb home.  She had esophageal cancer.  She was scheduled for surgery a few days after that.  Mom was so upset that Sara lost her beautiful hair.

Sara on left

Sara, Mom, me, Connie

Me, Weldon, Sara, Charlie

After her surgery, Sara took a turn for the worse.  They had to put in a stunt, and then she developed a fissure.  At some point she had a tracheotomy put in.  During conference family was told they should prepare for the worse.  They thought she would pass away in a day, but then she didn't.  She went to Seattle for a special procedure; but they found it wasn't needed.  They replaced the stunt.  She still has the fissure, but not in as serious a place as they thought.  Last week she finally had the tracheotomy removed.  She still has a hole in her throat which she has to cover to talk, but I was able to call her and talk to her.  We didn't talk long.  She is still tired.  But it was good to hear her voice.  She said the hole should fill in in a couple of weeks.

This is the sister how often babysit us younger kids.  She is the person who told me to stop jumping down the stairs when I jumped and hit my head on the ceiling, requiring 18 stitches.  Some would say I am still dingy from that experience.  I know I still have a ripple in my head, and a scar under my hair.  This is the sister who married first, and made me an uncle when Buffie was born.  They always lived close and I enjoyed visiting their home.  Often I was called upon to babysit.  It was in their cupboard that I learned formula is not chocolate milk.

SO here is a formal, get well from California for my sister, Sara.