The Funeral

I need to write about my grandpa's funeral before I forget everything. It was emotionally draining but an uplifiting spiritual experience. The night before the funeral was the viewing. We were told to be there a 1/2 hour early because there might be one or two apostles that might come. I was amazed at how many came. It was such an awesome experience to shake hands with Elder Hales, Elder L. Tom Perry, Elder Ballard and many more. I loved that Elder Richard G. Scott kneeled right down before my grandma and spoke to her.

As the apostles were leaving and the viewing was about to start I look over and President Monson is walking through the door. The room fell silent quite quickly. I think everyone was in awe that he was there and that my grandpa knew such important people. He's just our grandpa. I had no idea he rubbed shoulders with such great men. As he walked in I thought he would pay his respects and get out of there as quickly as possible but he didn't. He talked with us for about a half an hour. It was such a sweet moment for everyone. He made us laugh while he was talking about how he liked to watch wrestling back when he was younger and told us a pretty funny story and then had us crying when he was talking with my grandma. I will never forget how sweet he was to her. He took her face in his hands and told her how beautiful she was and that he loved her in Spanish. My grandma then told him, "Hasta la vista." He laughed and said that he just said he loved her and she said see ya later.

As the prophet was speaking to us, I couldn't help but think if the roles were reversed and my grandpa was there with President Monson's family he would have done the exact same thing. He would have made the family feel important and took time to talk with them. He definitely would have told stories and had everyone laughing and crying. I will never forget this once in a lifetime experience.

The next day was the funeral. It was very hard to watch all my aunts, uncles, cousins, but especially my grandma say their last goodbye's to my grandpa. My mom and all her sisters spoke and they did such a great job and it brought back more memories of my grandpa that I had forgotten. Like when I was younger he would have grandma play the organ while he danced with me.

Later in the funeral Elder Holland said a few words. I loved that when he spoke he looked directly at my grandma. After Elder Holland, Elder Packer got up and spoke. He said some things that I will never forget. He pronounced a special blessing to my grandma that all of her children and their families will make it to the celestial kingdom. Maybe one will fall away here and there but they will always come back. When he spoke those words I felt so inadequate to receive such a blessing. At the same time it made me want to live up to that blessing. Then I thought of Colby and I just had a sigh of relief. I hope he never falls away but if he does I know that he will come back. This was such a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. I am so grateful that I am my grandpa's grandaughter. I believe that because of him and the way he taught my mom, I am who I am. I love you grandpa and I can't wait to see you again!