We are home and it is done. The celebration...

We are home and it is done. The celebration of a life lived very well. The funeral for Flo was this morning in Belle Plaine. Last night was the viewing. I made it through last night and was doing fine today. I choked up a little when Christy read her poem to end the funeral service - but I was okay. Then when 16 members of the local American Legion saluted as they passed the casket to leave the church, that got to me as well - but I was okay. I was one of the pallbearers and as we carried her casket from the church to the hearse, passing through those 16 soldiers saluting her again, I almost lost my composure - but I was okay. We went out for the graveside service and listened to the ministers final words and I was okay. But then they gave her a 21 gun salute and as the bugler started to play taps, Max started to cry. It was as if that gave us all permission to let go because it wasn't just me but several around me just started to bawl. Flo was a remarkable woman. I knew that but I didn't realize how many other lives she had touched in that small community. Go in peace my friend.