A Tribute!

My MIL's viewing started Saturday night. The kids were watched by my aunt which made it easier so they could be put to bed. JL's niece got married that day so it was extra difficult on him. It was nice that JL's brother didn't attend the wedding reception so that he could be with JL. My MIL was laid out in the largest room in the funeral home and there was spurts of people that came to pay there respects. The line reached the whole length of the viewing room.

Her casket was a copper color with copper handles. Everything looked beautiful with the red roses and baby's breath the family pieces were in. Two large irns, a lid spray from JL and a foot spray from Josh and I. Arianna and Brycen had a simple two rose panel spray inside the casket. My MIL looked very beautiful in her red plaid blazer with multiple earth tones. Black beaded earrings accented her ears with a matching necklace laid across her chest. She looked really good.

Josh and I attended church at 8 am Sunday morning with the kids. All was good but the little peanut was being a pain in the bum. Such a squirmer! After church we went to the funeral home so that the kids could see their grandma. Things went much better than I thought they would have. Josh carried Arianna and I had Brycen's little hand as we approached the casket. We knelt next to the casket and Brycen was ok. I placed his hand on grandma's arm and we talked to grandma. Told her about his new Cookie Monster shoes and about him peeing in the potty. I told him that grandma is with Jesus in Heaven and he said that she was "sleeping". He gave her a few kisses on her forehead and told her that he loved her. Arianna was more interested in the lining of the casket so the view of her grandma didn't really phase her. As we walked out of the room I stopped half way and I said to Brycen, " how about we blow kisses to grandma" , so we did. I told him to say "love you grandma" and he did in a soft voice. I said, "Brycen say love you grandma a little louder", and that sweet voice got a little louder. Then I said, "Brycen say love you grandma louder so she can hear you", and we both said it even louder. We turned around and walked out the room. It was one of the sweetest things I have witnessed!

Sunday's viewings were 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. The first viewing was the busiest! A constant line that went on way past the viewing room. Josh's cousin went out to the hall to take a peek of the line and it zig zagged all through each of the viewing rooms in the funeral home and made it's way outside to the sidewalk. The first I heard was that someone was in line for 50 minutes and it slowly increased to a little over a hour and a half in line. So many hugs and hand shakes were received by all even JL's family who formed their own receiving line on the other side of the room opposite my MIL's family.

After the viewing everyone met up at my MIL's sister's home. The house was packed with so many people and there was a great feast. Food was sent by so many generous people who wanted to do something for the family during this difficult time. Everyone sat around had a drink or two and chatted with one another until it was time to head back to the funeral home.

The evening viewing wasn't as busy as the earlier one but many of us wished it was. There was a little down time in between people but not much. The line was constant from the back of the room. The down time gave us too much time to think and look around. Emotions were being to show on our tired faces.

With the amount of lines that were written on in the sign in book along with the fact that many of those came in couples or in families we estimated that more than 500 people visited this wonderful woman. She touched so many lives. So many kind words were said to everyone about this woman. One lady said that my MIL was one of the best counselors in Western Pennsylvania. Another said that Elaine (MIL) helped her through some of her darkest times and made her want to live after suffering a brain aneurysm. There was people there who were friends of JL's who knew and some didn't know Elaine but they wanted to finally meet this woman and to support their friend. Elaine was very active in the community and so many of those people that she helped or worked with were in attendance. It was just amazing the vast number of people who wanted to see their friend just one more time.

Monday was the most difficult day for all of us who loved and cared for my MIL. My mom sat with the kids so that they could sleep in. Josh and I got to the funeral home about 8:15 am and stood in the hallway with our family and JL's family. When it was time to go into the viewing room Josh and I lead everyone into the room. We approached the casket and I held her hand. I just couldn't hold my emotions in any more. Tears streamed down my face as I looked at this beautiful woman who had more compassion and strength than anyone I have ever met. I placed two wallet sized photos of Arianna and Brycen in her hand so that she will always have them with her. Josh and I kissed her forehead and then sat down. The family started to pay their respects in pairs placing a photo of her and her siblings and even a card inside the casket. When no one was going up to the casket Josh and I went back up. We just couldn't get enough and had to be close to her again. More kisses were given and we retreated back to our seats. Then it was time when the funeral director came in and told us that now was the time to pay our last respects to this wonderful woman. Garth Brooks song "The Dance" was playing and everyone's tears started to fall as they walked up to the casket. Josh and I let everyone else go before us so that we were towards the end of the line. Then it was our turn. Our turn to take in the beauty of this woman one last time. The last time to lay our eyes on this person until we meet again many many years from now in Heaven. It was so very hard. I wrapped my arm around her waist as Josh held her hand as he did when she took her last breath. I didn't want to leave her go! We both told her that we loved her and gave her one last kiss again. I touched her face one last time and we walked out of the room. JL was the last one to be with her.

We all made it to our cars and the limo. Two of Josh's aunts who helped take care of Elaine, JL and his parents and Josh and I were in the limo. Paul bearers were some of Elaine's nephews, a brother in law, JL's brother in law, and JL's oldest son. The procession went only two blocks up the street to St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church. A church that Elaine was a life member of and a place that gave her strength.

The church was packed! There was more people in attendance than there is at 8 am mass and there are quite a bit who attend then. Everything was beautiful! The songs, the readings, and the Eulogy given by Elaine's sister and best friend. Father H. gave a wonderful annalogy of Elaine. He told us a story about a young man being asked if he knew who a Saint was and he said those people in church who the sun shines through. Meaning the paintings on the stained glass windows. Father said that Elaine was a living Saint with the way she lived her life and that her life was like the stained glass. Shined all sorts of colors and that it did!

The procession from the church to the cemetery was the whole way down North Main Street hill. Just kept going! The ceremony was performed in the mausoleum instead of grave side. When we got out of the limo the wind picked up and many birds flew in unison right over us. It was such a beautiful sight! Josh and I along with JL and her one sister were the closest to the casket and everyone packed into this tiny room. A beautiful song was being played as we all entered the room. Many of us placed our hands on the casket as Father said some final words. Then it was time for us to leave. Leave this wonderful woman behind! I kissed the top of the casket and embraced Josh. Everyone was crying and holding tight to one another. I could see how hard this was on Josh. Tears were rolling down his face even though he was trying hard to hold them back. We received two of the red roses that were a part of the family pieces and I will press them in a book for the kids when they get older.

Once we all got to our cars we rushed home to pick up Arianna and Brycen. My mom had them all dressed up and ready to go to the luncheon. There was about 100 people for the luncheon and everyone was eager to see the kids.

This whole weekend was very overwhelming for Josh and I. Every part of Elaine's death was sad yet beautiful. Just over the top beautiful! From the moments in her home after she passed, to the fact that she had her son by her side to the amount of flowers and food that came in, to the amount of people who showed up to cast their eyes one more time on this beautiful woman's face. She touch our lives and this weekend showed she touched so many many more than we could ever have imagined! This weekend was a wonderful tribute to such a loving, caring, and thoughtful woman!

Until we meet again Elaine watch and protect my family, especially Arianna and Brycen! We love you very much!