The Most Elaborate Funeral

Monday was still vacation, so Lavinia asked if we could wake up early for a swim. 

The Lake. (When you coming Uncle Rog??)

She changed her mind in the morning, but we made her come in the car anyways while Zubs and I dipped. 

Gremlins. Both apparently in need of Derek vibes.

We enjoyed a lunch of fish tacos that the Chin had helped catch on the lake. TDF. And then we went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon - which is NOT like the South. It was 99% driving and I was very cranky by the end. But we had some shakes and Navajo tacos so I wouldn't kill anyone on the 3+h car ride home. 

MGH: You're a funn

I only worked two days, but they were FULL days. Which I felt okay about since I was unexpectedly dipping out on the rest of the week to fly east. (I later found out that the other PT was sick on Friday, so the week was kind of a wash.)

I met the Chin after work Wednesday and had him drive to PHX while I finished my notes for work. He almost hit a coyote and only complained about the heat a couple times. We had a great breakfast for dinner with the Cassens, who are some of the nicest people I know and are always doing me solids. I can never thank them enough.  

Beautiful. 

We woke up early to drive to PHX airport and parked there. We met Greg in Dallas and Brother Boise in Boston. We did miss out on the police escort, but Aaron did such a ridiculously good job on the "pomp and circumstance" of the event that we didn't miss out on much. The church building was full of policemen taking shifts at the coffin and providing us with snacks. The halls were full of several stations highlighting each phase of Grampy's life - police work, family, temple president, mission president, etc. And there were two videos available to view on the man as well. It was good to see some family and chat with Uncle Al.

Legendary. 

 The funeral was even more elaborate. There was a live bagpiper providing music before and after and a full police detail the whole time. I read my poem, Zach his eulogy, Amy/Jenny shared memories, the Police Chief did a tribute, and the retired Father spoke a little. Dad ended and "cut his talk short" to ten minutes (which was his originally planned time anyways, so sus.) There were two musical numbers including Aaron's all-male group that I now want to serenade me everywhere I go. Aaron was awesome with his commentary between speakers and there wasn't too much crying, which was great. (Word is that the zoom session with 4+ camera angles was also excellent). 

Audience view. 

We followed the casket out in the pouring rain to the gravesite across town, where the Navy paid tribute as well as the Fire Department, who had flags overhanging the roads on cherry pickers. Adam played taps and Ben offered the dedication of the grave. And we headed back for a delicious lunch and hangout with Cousin Gib. We jaunted down to CT to raid the house and steal the blubes (to share with Mimi and Jenny's fam). And Rog drove us to the airport the next morning bright and early. 

Staple. (Not the Frozen Pudding flavor though.)

We arrived and headed up to Flag. We met up with the rest of the fam for a trip around downtown for oil, lavender lemonade, pizza, gelato, and wherever else we wanted to go (like Bookman's). It was a great time. 

Love MGH themed vacations.