A week ago now... the Farm family caravaned up to my father's funeral mass in Taylors Falls.
Other than my sister's 2 grandchildren, and one other family with their 5 boys, our grandchildren were the only ones present. I am puzzled by this, yet it just shows how much we had shared in my father's last half year of his life as he came to the farm to live with me.
Yes, the happy sounds of baby Birdie and my two 1 1/2 year old grandsons, Jude and George, can be heard throughout the service, but knowing my parents - those are sounds of JOY to them! They modeled for us the wonder and Truth of being open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS!
Nancy's family... when my dad had just arrived suddenly in the midst of Covid to our farm, Nancy brought her family down to see him. Being on hospice all were kind of on edge that he would quickly die... not to be.
We were having a meal and dad was alone in the dining room eating, and 4 year old ine went in to sit with him and talk to him... very comfortable and inviting to her great-grandfather! Over the time he was with me I witnessed dad getting to know many of my grandchildren... he met them all when Maria came home in late August! He really got to know baby George when Nancy and Bill were in the midst of their big contest with Our Sunday Visitor, which they eventually won!
Had to have a photo shoot the night before Susan/Hallel left to return to KC! Dad had to wear his Sunday shirt, which is now being worn by my brother, Dan! LOVE!
This makes my heart sing! I would be much more sad about Hallel being in France for the year if she had not had her miraculous home visit with my dad sharing prayer and The Word with her!
And to know that she got to meet Baby Birdie Barbara, too!!!
Dad prayed for Hallel daily on our chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3p! He was also very interested in Mary and her goat farming venture.
With the 19 grandchildren, including George peacefully on his lap, and it was so special to have dad aware of #20 on the way... the day before he died, he knew of our new life in the womb and prayed for it. I am assured of his prayers continuing in heaven forever!
How could they not come to honor my father on his funeral mass? #1 It was a sacred time for the families to share this holy man's life! #2 Dad is responsible for all of our lives and loves since our providential move to Minnesota and our coming into the Catholic Church 49 years ago! #3 Our united family sharing with all that dad valued in Faith/Family/Farm find great happiness and joy in sharing our faith and love for Jesus and His Bride, The Church , and dad was the King of our Faith Family!
A picture of the Truth that we embrace, and was important for us to be there in force to support my father and celebrate our King's life! All 31 of us... adding the two that were physically missing, yet with us in spirit always!
Ruth with her family... Each Sunday as we gathered for our meal shared after mass they would see my father there sharing a meal with us and watching mass on TV with Eucharist from Pat or John.
My brother, Dan, with dad... his son, Sam, lives in Delaware and longed to be here for his beloved grandfather. I know that he would have been there with his family if at all possible! Also my Maria was ready to fly to be here, but her family of 6 kids made that not possible.
21 united in gratitude for all that my father did for our family! John brought me to tears when he told my father, when he was close to death, that he was so grateful for him bringing me and our family of 13 into The Church! Yes!!! That is my greatest JOY and I can never thank my father enough, a man of God, who listened to the Holy Spirit and said "Yes!"
Jesus, we love you and long to serve you with our lives! Our cup overflows with all the graces and blessings we are given each day in your Church. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Fr Custodio and Fr Drees Consecrating the Body and Blood of Jesus! Dad looking on...
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