1.19.17 - Joys in sorrow

Tonight I got back to CA from attending my Grandma Snyder's funeral and services. It was a sad and frankly exhausting couple of days. But I think those are actually the most important times to inventory joys. So here are my joys from this trip:

• My siblings and I all got to be together, an occurrence that is uncommon and precious to me.
• In particular, the first night in Florida Julie and I got to talk one-on-one there for probably nearly 3 hours. That is rare, and since she is the sibling I talk to least when we're far apart I especially was glad for it.
• Our hotel had complimentary snacks in the evening which included a pretty good salad with the best olives.
• There was also French toast in the morning.
• It was impressive how many people in our rather huge family were able to make it to Florida on such short notice. All six of Grandma's living children were there, as well as 21 of her 29 grandchildren, and then some great grandchildren as well. Plus some extended family and relations by marriage too. It was a big turnout.
• The funeral mass was really well done. The church Grandma attended was spacious and beautiful. It was nice imagining her sitting in one of those very pews countless times over the years.
• The priest told us about how Grandma had been very active in her church, not only in small groups but also doing a lot of laundering of alter linens and helping behind the scenes. I didn't know she did that, and I was proud of her.
• The priest was considerate of the fact that funerals likely bring non-Catholics to a Catholic mass. He did a great job leading everyone by saying when we are going to stand or kneel, etc, and explaining what non-Catholics can do during communion. I thought that was very thoughtful.
• The weather was overall pretty nice, even a little warm. You wouldn't even know it was winter elsewhere in the country.
• The burial grounds were beautiful: very well kept with lots of huge trees, and far enough off road for decent privacy. It was a lovely spot.
• The priest at the burial was poignant and encouraging and even made people laugh several times. 
• Most of the family got together that night for a big dinner. I had picked the location without being able to see it in advance but it turned out well, I think. There was a dance floor, which in this case served as a free area for the little kids (and Julie, apparently) to blow off some energy playing tag and leap frog. 
• And there was a lot of space for people to spread out and, mostly after eating dinner, move from spot to spot and get to visit with each other.
• I really liked the chocolate cake with raspberry drizzle they had for dessert.
• There was also an open bar, and while I couldn’t take advantage of it I’m glad other people got to. 
• When I did get back to the hotel, I had a big comfy bed all to myself to collapse in, which is exactly what I did.

I would actually like to write more but at this point I can barely stay awake. Overall the day was sad and tiring, but I think as these things go it went well, and I’m glad for that.