Things went well at the visitation yesterday. There was a constant stream of people for seven hours. Ray only stepped away one time to grab a sanwich and go to the restroom, and that was mostly to get away from a woman who came in and began to tell him about a miraculous healing her husband had had from cancer two weeks before. She was not a 'real' friend, but someone who knew Ray and Joan from eating at the same restaurant they did on a regular basis. He was looking a little weak by the end of the night, and today will be most likely the most difficult yet.
I bought a blank journal, and many people wrote Joan stories in it. Ray will hopefully enjoy reading that in the days to come. Most everyone mentioned that she was always smiling, encouraging, and faithful. One lady has been friends with her since they were little girls, and she wrote about going to her house to play after school almost every day. One wrote about a time they had to clear the ballfield and get their teams quickly to City Hall (right next to the ballfield) because of a racial riot that was coming through the city. This was a tiny, tiny town, so that would have been a huge and scary thing. Someone who saw that story later said that they remembered it, and they thought it stemmed from a police officer getting killed and then the 'march' following. I don't know details, but I am sure glad we have worked through so many of those serious racial tensions. A couple of people wrote about what a fierce Bunco competitor Joan was.
I hope a lot more people write more stories today and that the journal will be something Ray can cherish. A couple of the grandkids got to skim through it throughout the evening. They will get to read stories that they never knew, and I think that's kind of cool.
I also found some nice hurricane lamps where Drew works, and I bought all of them and myself (Jill may want one, as well) one so that each family would have one like object in their homes that was a remembrance of Joan. 'Light' was the obvious choice for her. They use tea lights, if you want to use them, but mostly they will just be for decoration, I am sure. They will fit into the decor of everyone's houses, because they are just a whitewashed wood look. I liked them, anyway, and I think the others will.
Anyway, those are the things I did in lieu of flowers, and I will be making a contribution to the Mexico mission fund at church, which had become one of her favorite things to support. She was also a great supporter of our camp, so when camp time comes, I will figure out something permanent that we can put up there that will remind us of her influence and work in that area.
It was good to see many old friends who had gone to church with us in the past. I got to spend some time with the little boys back in the kitchen as we all ate. Parker showed me the finer points of playing some kind of Star Wars video game. I did a pretty decent job of faking my Star Wars knowledge by pretty much repeating everything he said and acting excited about it. It works with a four year old.
Jill will be here this morning, and she is bring Brooklynn, so I am excited about seeing them. Bella wouldn't be able to make it through a funeral service, so she is staying at school. I will miss seeing her, but it is definitely for the best.
Everyone who has offered the beads, let me check with Jill, and if the final decision is a Tiana/Princess and the Frog/Mardi Gras/French 'Porter' party, then we will definitely take you up on your offers!
belleinpink - Hooray for you! You will have to keep us abreast of the newest things going on in Disney World and send us lots of pictures!
Very excited for you!
Okay, I have to go. There is much to do this morning. I am fixing ham and rolls and having cinnamon rolls and fruit for the morning hours. The family will not eat a big meal until after the burial, so they thought that sounded perfect to get them through the early hours. There were still pies and sweets left from the ladies who brought some food last night.
Again, thank you all for your good thoughts. We really do cherish our DIS friendships!