The Burial

Texas might be the only place where cars still pull over to the side of the road when a funeral procession comes through.  With two police escorts and about 30 cars in the possessional, we left the beautiful service and headed to the cemetery where my dad was to be buried.

It made me cry to see the cars pull over.  It was a very sweet tribute by strangers signify their support of us in our loss.

And no surprise that there was a train on the track as we made one of the final turns to the cemetery.  My parents had picked this cemetery because it was by the train tracks for my dad and had roses for my mom.  Seemed fitting for a train to be running by...

As we entered into the final turn to the cemetery, the police escort had parked his car across the street to block traffic and then was standing at attention as we entered gates.  Another moment of honor for someone that he did not know--I wanted to say to him--My dad was one of the good ones, Thanks for your service...but all I could do in a moment was roll down my window and say Thank you.

The Pallbearers doing their duty

My mother's grave marker is there uncovered next to my dad's

My brother Todd did a sweet job dedicating the grave site.

My siblings and I
Valerie, Rick, Scott, Todd, Robin, Lynette, me, Mike

We gave everyone a choice of a game marker or a Rook Card to place on the casket.  I like the meaningful moment created by placing something on a casket as a last gesture to the person.  Game pieces were perfect for this occasion although we are sure that it caused some wondering glances to people visiting after we left.

Niles and his three children, Luka, Otto, and Margot

Landi and Lance Johnson with their four girls

Kherrington with Lora, her mom in the back, and her aunt Sierra and Jay

A look at the markers and Rook cards

Checking out Great-grandma's marker

Landi with her daughter, Eileen

The red-headed are Kristen and Kar; across his Daniel with Ezra
Justin in the background

Mike and family

Lisa

Mike and Paul

Kim, Karla's daughter

Todd's daughters
Kaylee, Sierra, Jordan, Lora, Tillie
and Ramona

Linda

Tana with Anna and Rick and Paul in the back ground

There was lots of conversations and photos taken.

Jena

Jessica

I got the last card out of the box and it seemed right that it was a ROOK!

Tosha

Scott decided dad wanted a card INSIDE the casket
so slipped it in between the top halfs of the casket.

Kendall and Greysen (I think) checking out other stones.

Old friends came to the burial--Robert and Roberta Barton talking to Rick--eternal friends of my parents.

Todd Lovett--Brock and Ellen were also in attendance.

Paul, Jay and Owen

I declined a family photo since Ben was not here.
Tosha thought I might regret it and I have.
I should have had one taken of us.  So this is our
only family photo at the burial.

Kylie and Megan both share a part of my mom's name--Megan Eileen and Kylie Jane

Saying good bye was a bit hard.  Not sure how often I will be able to return to this spot.

We did swing by as we headed out of town to see that the casket was in the ground--

I actually grabbed a white game piece that had fallen on the ground as a keepsake.  

Love you mom and dad!  Thanks for everything!  We will praise and honor your name through the remainder of my days on this earth.  Glad you are together again.