Mommy and Anjali made a trip to Kentucky for Papaw's funeral. We flew into Louisville, got to enjoy breakfast there with TT (Teresa), and then rode with her to Lexington where we caught up with Nanna.
I described very simply for Anjali how plants and animals are born, live, and then die and return to the earth. I explained to her before we met with our family at the Richmond funeral home that people would probably be sad and even crying, because they would like to talk with Papaw some more. But this did not deter her from approaching the crowd at all, and she delighted in all the many friendly people there who wanted to talk with her. She visited from one person to the next, saying "hi," and having conversations with them. We saw so many loved ones ~ family and friends, from both Nanna's family as well as Granddad's. She especially enjoyed meeting her teenage cousins, Jasmine and Malachi. That night we got to stay with Granddad's sister, Aunt Amy, and Uncle Harrison. Even though Anjali was jet-lagged and exhausted, she managed to prop her eyes open long enough to play with all the dolls and stuffed animals that were there. ;)
The next day, before the funeral, I attempted to help her use up some of her energy by inviting her outside to run around in the grass. She humored me for a couple laps, and then said, "I want to go inside and see all the people!" Ok, then! Interestingly, right before the service started, Anjali recognized a rendition of the song, "Swing Low," playing overhead.
The moody Spring weather held out for us to get out to the cemetery. Since Papaw served in the army during World War II, it was stirring to see the young army man and woman go through the flag folding and then the gun firing. Luckily I remembered to warn Anjali that the guns would fire right beside us. As the bugle played Taps, there was not a dry adult eye in the place. From there we went to Ryan's Steak House, Papaw's favorite restaurant, and then said bye-bye to everyone and rode back to Elizabethtown with Nanna and Grandpa Chris. After a fun night-night story with Nanna, it was bedtime. Next morning we were back at the airport.
I think Anjali's first impression of funerals is a positive one, because of all the people!
Making friends at the airport.
Cemetery.
Funny scrunchy half-smile for the camera with Aunt Janet.
Ice cream cone, just like Cousin Jasmine!
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