Papa's Funeral

Friday morning we woke up early and went to the Draper temple for Andrew to receive his endowment.  It was special to be there with Grandma Nani the same day as Papa's funeral.  It helped remind all of us about how families can be eternal.  

Emily and Marley came with us and went to do baptisms while we did endowments.  Marley was praying to feel close to Papa.  When Emily, "Sister Easton" was being baptized the temple worker asked Marley if they knew Mike Easton.  She explained the relationship and the temple worker told her he knew both Mike and Mack.  She came seeking closeness to Randy but God showed her He knew her by helping her remember bother her grandpas.  

We loaded in the car and headed to Mesquite - Lily and Mack rode in the sauna with Laurie (the a/c wasn't working in the party van) and Kate rode with Beth.  Randy didn't want a viewing so that evening there was a gathering in him memory.  People came to share stories and love.  Ric served Randy's famous salsa and the room was filled with some great photos.

A friend of Nani's let all 5 of her kids from out of town stay in her Air B&B.  It was nice to all be together.  The funeral the next morning was beautiful.  As Spencer told me later (he watched on Zoom with my parents in Florida), "It didn't feel like a funeral but a celebration". Just how Randy would have wanted it.  

Greg spoke and referenced Randy's love of Hallmark movies.  And talked about the many ways Randy taught, served and loved him and others.  Mack, Braden and Brad sang "Did Jesus Really Live Again" - it was beautiful.  

As lined out by Randy years ago the oldest grandchild from each family, female or male, were pallbearers.  It was so hot outside but we all made our way to the cemetery.

It was a hard day but beautiful to hear all the wonderful things about Randy.

Back at the church we enjoyed a nice meal and time to chat.  A kind man in the community brought a large portable freezer full of ice cream novelties.  The kids had dozens before we realized the man was letting us take them back to the Air B&B with us.  So the consumption continued into the evening and next day.

After all that crying the kids were ready for some fun.  They all headed to Bunker Pond while Greg and I visited with Nani and ordered tons of pizzas to feed the crew when they got back.

How many kids can ride on one zip line?!

Brad helped catch some fish.

It was fun to be with all the family, laughing, crying and sharing life with each other.

Mack and Bode stayed up late into the night both nights creating RC tracks for Bode's car using sheet, duct tape, and anything else they could find.  The work was epic but I have no evidence - I guess taking a pic at 2:00am when I was taking Greg to the shuttle drop off so he could head to the North Carolina didn't occur to me.  

We hit the road early the next morning with Andrew showing signs of Lily's pink eye - little did we know we had spread it to some of Laurie's clan and picked up Strep Throat from someone else.  Andrew and I would be out cold sick for most of the next week.  He tested negative but a few days after I was positive and VERY grateful for the antibiotic shot in the hip and the quick improvement of symptoms - it is amazing how we take swallowing for granted.  

Randy we love you and are so grateful for all the years we had together.  The kids will always remember how you, played games, teased, worked, listened, laughed and loved them.