A Wedding and A Funeral

Today we were double booked but originally a wedding and a birthday party. But plans were changed with the death of my Uncle Dick.  At 11 we were sitting in a church in Camp Hill to celebrate the marriage of Joy and Sue.  It was 17 years ago today they had their original commitment ceremony and today's ceremony was a legal marriage in PA.  It was wonderful to see their four children part of the ceremony.  Hanna and Olivia walked in first.  

Ethan escorted in Joy. 

And Charlie walked in with Sue.  

The photo in the back is on their original ceremony.  The minister made a joke about this being the first wedding where the brides wore pants and he was wearing the dress.  

The brides did the traditional unity candle and then the kids lite their own candles off their mom's.  Baylor played games on my phone and was as well behaved as any of the other boys in attendance.  We were in the receiving line when I checked my phone and it was 12:17.  I released we had to be in Red Lion in 45 minutes so we ran out of line, out the door, and headed down the highway.   

We arrived just in time as it was to begin at 1:00.  Funerals are such a sad time to see so many family members.  Uncle Dick was married to Aunt Betty for 72 years and they are such an important and central part of our family.  Uncle Dick was a character and there are so many stories of him and my grandpa carrying out their pranks and jokes.  Aunt Betty was in good spirits and was at peace knowing she took care of him in his last years and that he died peacefully at home with family around.  

But even at the funeral we managed a silly photo.  

Since Uncle Dick is being cremated his was just laid out on a bed and looked like he was sleeping.  He looked like Uncle Dick.  It was a wonderfully loving tribute to a wonderfully loving man.  

The funeral home had beautiful bird cage and Baylor really loved this love bird.  

Afterwards we headed to DiAnn's for a lunch and get together.  Baylor was excited to play with Eli and they had a good time as usual.  

It was an emotional day with a lot of celebrating of life. Even in death, life is a celebration.