Today we celebrated the life of the beloved grandma of Alisha (son Jon's honey), Susanna Nagel. Never having had such a relationship as a young person, it was always hard to understand how close some people are to their grandparents, and how important they can become to each other. Funny thing is, now that I'm the grandpa, I understand it completely! I hope I am as loved when I kick the bucket as this amazing woman was.
Funerals are of course emotional and tiring, but I also find them reaffirming. They remind me of all the important things, like love and family. Roo and I felt so special being included in the Nagel clan for the day. Ever since Jon and Lish have been together our two families have shared a bond.
It was a beautiful ceremony with tons of humorous stories from her kids, and an amazing rendition of Amazing Grace by her daughter in law. I was pretty well balling my eyes out at that point.
The minister was a pretty good speaker, and he recited a couple of poems, and used a few quotes I really liked. I only struggled a bit with his closing comment in which he warned us that if we didn't believe in Jesus, that we needed to say a permanent goodbye to Susanna, cause we weren't ever gonna see her again! Okay Okay. I struggled a lot!
But that was such a minor aspect of what was really a glorious day, filled with laughter and tears. Thanks to Jean for letting us be a part of her mom's big day.
Good night Susanna! I'll "see" you in the morning!!
When we got home I was so motivated, that I decided to cement my own important grandparent relationship.
That's why I joined my boy in the "ce-ment" pond! Mind you I had to put my wetsuit on just to get in. Love you Colb.
"If you carefully consider what you want to be said of you in the funeral experience, you will find your definition of success."---Stephen Covey
Love
Peter
Funerals are of course emotional and tiring, but I also find them reaffirming. They remind me of all the important things, like love and family. Roo and I felt so special being included in the Nagel clan for the day. Ever since Jon and Lish have been together our two families have shared a bond.
It was a beautiful ceremony with tons of humorous stories from her kids, and an amazing rendition of Amazing Grace by her daughter in law. I was pretty well balling my eyes out at that point.
The minister was a pretty good speaker, and he recited a couple of poems, and used a few quotes I really liked. I only struggled a bit with his closing comment in which he warned us that if we didn't believe in Jesus, that we needed to say a permanent goodbye to Susanna, cause we weren't ever gonna see her again! Okay Okay. I struggled a lot!
But that was such a minor aspect of what was really a glorious day, filled with laughter and tears. Thanks to Jean for letting us be a part of her mom's big day.
Good night Susanna! I'll "see" you in the morning!!
When we got home I was so motivated, that I decided to cement my own important grandparent relationship.
That's why I joined my boy in the "ce-ment" pond! Mind you I had to put my wetsuit on just to get in. Love you Colb.
"If you carefully consider what you want to be said of you in the funeral experience, you will find your definition of success."---Stephen Covey
Love
Peter
Can you even imagine how our early lives would have been different if we had had someone like you as a grandpa? It makes me happy just thinking about it! I'm so in awe of your love for these 2 kids, especially considering how you thought you would feel about them. I love you, Pete.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had known my grandparents and hope that they would have been as amazing as Peter. I am blessed to be his adopted big sister and enriched by knowing him.
ReplyDeleteLove, gail