Best Funeral I ever went to!

Mom, Aunt Janet (pictured above) and me got a call on a Thursday that Aunt Betty had passed.  It was awful.  Especially since I really dont remember much about Betty.  I know that Mom spent a good portion of her childhood summers with Betty on her ranch in Goldendale.  She told me about one time when everyone in her family was packing up to leave.  So she ran upstairs to throw her clothes in a bag.  When she came back, Betty was waving goodbye to my Nana and all my mom's sisters and brother.  Nana had decided to leave Mom with Betty for a little bit longer because and her and my Grandpa were working like crazy in different areas.  No one was around to watch little Miss Robin.  

Mom and Betty Painted the house and did all kinds of projects around the farm.  Taking care of the cows and licking salt licks.  Yuck.  

Somewhere there is a darling letter written by my Mom to her Mommy (Nana), explaining how terribly disappointed she was to be left behind.  Think I will have to scan that in soon. . .

Anyway! The funeral.  Honestly, it was a strange dull time period in our lives.  I remember I was really unhappy at work (now theres a shocking element!) and was literally praying for something to break lose.  Mom called and said that Betty had passed away.  I was shocked. Betty seemed like such a die hard (okay not the best word choice, but you know what I mean).  Apparently, she even drove herself to the hospital while she was having a heart attack.  Sadly, it wasn't enough and God called Betty home to relax for awhile after a long hard journey.

I decided to go with Mom because I didn't want her to be alone, but obviously a welcome release from a terrible job.  Funerals are always excusable reason to leave work and not come back for a few days.

And Aunt Janet came too!  She wanted to help drive and I am guessing a little bit of adventure too.  

We set out around 7pm, drove 70 miles the wrong direction and landed at a fantastic 60s motel near Goldendale around 1am. All I remember is that the lady at the front desk was Korean and she had a picture of her son who was doing his mandatory service in Korea. Mom tried to speak to her in Korean of course.  Always a little embarrassing, but now that I think about it, maybe amazing.  Can't imagine being Korean and living out in this desolate part of Eastern Washington. 

The memorial was set for the afternoon on a windy hillside in some of the most beautiful plains I have ever seen in Washington State.

Since we didn't have to rush, we went to breakfast at this hilarious diner that was owned and operated by an obviously Cantonese family, out of a seriously Saloon oriented building.  Complete with swinging front doors.  I ordered breakfast and it came with an actual tub of Country Crock margarine.  Aunt Janet made the unfortunate choice of ordering Chinese food.  Which seemed to be dialed into a strange American aimed flavor.  It was nasty.  The irony of the restaurant, the funny family complete with one English speaking and doofy teenage son was almost more that we could take.  We laughed way too loud and at all the wrong moments throughout the meal.  We did manage to pay and leave without an escort.  Only had about 30 minutes until we needed to start making our way.  So we found several junky but interesting antique stores.  As we thought, just have to look for the deals!  I found a set of 3 Swedish ladderback chairs for $20!  Love those things.  Beautiful  blonde hardwood. . . ahh. . .stuck in storage in Phoenix.  I digress. . .

Cannot remember what all we bought, but the back of Mom's van was packed full of furniture and finds that took longer than 30 minutes to procure.  Oops!  Late as usual.  I am sure they wouldn't be running on time either.  EEEEhhhh. Wrong. Did you know that country folks don't run late?  Oops again.

We pulled up to the memorial on a hillside.  The prettiest I had ever seen, complete with cylindrical bails of hay spotted on the hillside. Impossible to hide as the service had begun exactly on time, 30 minutes ago.  We were nearly giddy with all the antique finds and ridiculous chinese diner experience.  They probably thought we had been drinking.  Oh well.  The crowd was so somber, but the message was good.  I  couldn't help but notice how super sad everyone was and couldn't yank myself into somber death mode.  Betty wasn't old enough to die, but surely she was with Jesus.  These folks seemed to have forgotten that part or maybe they just didn't eat breakfast at the same restaurant. 

The whole time the three of us never seemed to lose our spirit of joy and honest happiness.  I felt terribly guilty.  But we just kept laughing, even at the memorial meal.  We couldn't stay too long, we were just too happy.  We did manage to cavort with Betty's kids and a brief interlude with her creepy husband.  Then we were on our way driving back toward the Columbia River thru the hills that Betty had tended for so long.  Such a beautiful and extremely rough place to live. So close to the river; there was constant strong wind at your face.  According to mom, that is sort of how Betty was herself.  A little rough, with a strong wind, but somehow so loving and brave, you always wanted to be near her.  

To this day, I remember feeling vividly happy and joyful on the day of Betty's memorial.   Mom, me and Aunt Janet shared some of the most valuable time ever and all on a trip to nowhere's ville for a funeral.   Just goes to show that beloved and amazing people make for an amazing and beloved life.  I think Betty would have snickered right along with us all day!  Thank you Jesus for you care here and in heaven forever.

merissa