Sad Day and Rain too!

Gary Nielson, the husband of my best friend Marjean, died on Wed, June 24 about 2:30 p.m. He was 60 and had colon and liver cancer. For the past 15 months he has endured chemotherapy treatments. He passed away at home.
The funeral was today. It was raining when Steve and I drove to the church at 10:30 a.m. with the fresh fruit I had cut up for the luncheon. It rained while the people were coming.

But inside, the building was flowing with beauty and the spirit. The decorating talents of Sharon Robison and Shirley Kearl were amazing.

Following the eulogy, Marjean and Tara played an organ piano duet of "Beautiful Savior." Before they did, she walked to the microphone, said she was not following tradition, and spoke a little bit, including asking all those who had come today because they worked with Gary at JCPenney (for 39 years) to stand (about 30-40 people stood), asking all those there who had been supporting her from the campus of PESH (about 15-20 stood), then asked the teenagers who had come to support Tara to stand (about 15), and then all those who were members of the ward and stake of The Church of Jesus Christ (many stood up - the chapel and overflow were full). Lastly, she asked the family members of Gary to stand. Only her two sisters, one brother, and one niece and one nephew were there. But what a support system. Steve, Erlynne and I felt honored to be able to stand.

This week they fly to SLC for the interment. Tara will go to college this fall. Marjean will continue to teach Chemistry at PESH until she can retire in a couple of years. She and I will begin walking together this fall. I am looking forward to our walks and chats. I need her friendship and I think all of it will be good for her too. Keep them in your prayers.

And after the luncheon was over, as Steve and I walked out of the church, the rain had gone, the air was fresh and cool, washed clean for the moment. Funerals usually make me pensive!