Until We Meet Again

On Wednesday, May 16th, Jared's father, "Harvey", passed away after a long fight with colon cancer. We left on Thursday to make the 13 hour trip to Arizona, arriving at 4:00 a.m. The viewing was Friday evening, from 5-7. I took pictures, but will not post any here, as I don't think that is the best way for someone to be remembered, when they really look so little like themselves.

Harvey went into the military when he was just 17, and spent around 20 years serving the country in many different capacities, he served in Korea, and Vietnam, and was a medic for many years. After joining the LDS church, and getting married to Jared's mother, he went to chiropractic school, set up practice until he broke his back, and then become a school bus driver.

He really seemed to enjoy driving the bus, and dealing with all the kids. He told me story after story of his adventures with sweet and terrible children. He especially loved the shy kindergarteners. This picture is of a huge poster that was given to him by a class of children he took on a field trip. In a touching display of affection, his co-workers from the bus barn all showed up to the funeral on one of the school busses, dressed in their bus driving t-shirts, and presented a shirt to Jared's mom.
The burial took place in Phoenix, in the Veterans Cememtery.
It was a military burial, with the twenty-one gun salute. In this picture you can see Sarah running towards me as the guns went off. I guess she was not expecting it.
Here is a picture of the man who gave the service handing Jared's mom the flag. Very touching.

Though not under happy circumstances, the services all went well, and it was nice to see Jared's family, many of whom we haven't seen for five years. All of Jared's 8 siblings were there, except for his sister who is living in Costa Rica, and was unable to come.
Even though I have no desire for another 30 hrs of driving with 4 little children, I am very glad we were able to go.