See You In a Little While

On Tuesday, May 6, 2014, we remembered the life of my dad, Joe Murphy.  He passed away on April 20, 2014, two days after the girls and I left Illinois at the end of a visit.  He wanted to be cremated, so my mom decided to wait to have his memorial service until after Landon graduated.  The service was so beautiful and began with this song off of Steven Curtis Chapman's newest album, The Glorious Unfolding.

Dr. Steve Phillips, the pastor of my parents' church, Winstanley Baptist Church, and Rev. Wendell Garrison, our former pastor there, officiated.  The each had beautiful things to say and knew Dad well, so it was a very special service. 

Landon read Revelation 21:1-7.  I shared a few words, then sang "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin accompanied by Chase on the guitar.  Then Tina Dickerson, my sister's daughter, sobbed through a poem about grandfathers.

The service ended with this song, also from The Glorious Unfolding.

The church provided a meal for everyone who wanted to stay.  Then we headed over to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery for the interment service.  It was incredible.  There was a life honor guard, one of whom played Taps live.  There were three sweet elderly gentlemen who did a 21-gun salute.  It was really, really special.  The pictures below are from that part of the service.

21-gun Salute

I was standing behind my mom, and Gerren was standing behind me.  So, I didn't know that he was also saluting until I saw this picture.  It almost did me in!

The flag was folded to begin with since it wasn't on a casket.  The honor guard members unfolded it and refolded it, then the female went around the wall you see to play "Taps".

The speech the soldier said when presenting the flag to my mom was really neat.

The leader of the team that did the 21-gun salute presented my mom with a small bag containing 3 shells that represent duty, honor and courage (I think?).

My parents were married for 64 years, and it will be a tough adjustment for my mom.

Sweet 16!!!

Chase's 16th birthday was somewhat brushed under the rug because of our trip to Illinois for my dad's funeral.  We traveled from Clarksville, TN, to Belleville, IL that morning.  Greg was supposed to already be there, but he was flying standby and all the flights were full.  He ended up having to buy a full-price ticket in order to make it for the funeral.  It was 8pm before we picked him up from the Metro station.  We headed for Chevy's to eat Mexican and give Chase her gifts.  I promised her cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a dessert of her choice when we get home.  Love you, Chase!

Chips and salsa - yum!

Chase and Landon

A card from Carys with $1 and 3 pennies taped inside

A little money from Grandma

Dad tries to cut the large bottle of beer out of the picture

So serious!

Greg got her to smile

Our First College Graduate!

On Saturday, May 3, 2014, Landon graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a Physics BS and a math minor.  We're very proud of him.  As of now, he's not sure what he's going to do next.  He always thought he'd go to graduate school and has applied to UCF and FSU, but he is really tired of school right now and doesn't really want to go.  So,  he is going to find a job instead.  He is still waiting to hear about graduate school as well.

 

Landon and his roommate, Andrew, both graduated today.

Tamar (Andrew's girlfriend), Andrew, Landon, and Dave (their other roommate)

April 2014

April was an incredibly busy month.  We had our church Easter event the Sunday before Easter on April 13.  We met at the Lacefield's house and had a service outside followed by an Easter egg hunt and a potluck dinner.  It was hot and the girls and I got slightly sunburned.

The Lacefields have a horse!  Carys' favorite part of the day!

Resurrection Eggs

 The girls and I left the Lacefield's and hit the road for Illinois to see my dad who was not doing well.  When we got to Belleville Monday afternoon it was 39°.  Sheesh!

My poor sweet dad was not responsive most of the time we were with him.  These pictures are from the first day we were there when he was the most responsive.  I kissed him and said, "I love you, Dad" and he said, "I love you" very clearly.  On the morning of April 18, Good Friday, we went to see him one last time before heading back to Florida.  He would not wake up or open his eyes, so I started singing hymns.  His eyes popped open and he started tapping his foot.  It wasn't long before he was trying to sing along.  I probably sang for 30 minutes, and Dad was aware the entire time.  It was a very sweet time that I will remember forever.

Mom told Dad to say cheese and he actually did

While we were in Illinois, we took a day and went over to see Gerren in Sedalia, MO, which is close to Whiteman AFB.  Grandma Epie went with us.  Gerren to us to lunch at an Asian buffet.  Then we did a little shopping at Penney's where he bought Chase some tops for her birthday.  Then we found a park so Carys could play for awhile.  Finally we went to Panera for coffee before heading back to Belleville.

Beautiful old church in St. Louis

Guess which one of these people has been up for 36 hours?

It was windy!

On Easter Sunday evening at 10:45 pm, Dad went home to be with the Lord.  What a wonder to think that he celebrated the resurrection face to face with Jesus!

March 2014

At the beginning of March, my dad was moved from Sycamore Village, an assisted living facility specializing in memory care, to St. Paul's Nursing Home, as he just needed more intense nursing care.  This picture of him with my mom was taken that first weekend.

We got to attend Tom & Christi Sharp's wedding on March 15.  Gerren hated to miss it, though.

Here comes the bride

With this ring

Landon's 21st Birthday!!!

I cannot believe that my baby is 21!  Where has the time gone?  His final spring break of his undergraduate career at UCF began on the evening of his birthday, so we got to celebrate the actual day.  He chose the Thai place for dinner again this year, and of course, strawberry shortcake for dessert.  :)

Carys made Landon this picture from the kit she got for Christmas

A little pillow Chase made and embroidered