Pops' Funeral

The Jacksons asked my Dad to officiate the ceremony, which was a true honor. Colonel headed out to Zachary the day before the funeral and everyone sat around talking about their favorite memory of Pops. It was a wonderfully moving experience for all of us. Angie read her eulogy to us that day, thank goodness, so we were better prepared for the next day.

The funeral was beautiful. The girls did an excellent job putting pictures together that really told the story of Pops' life. What awesome memories we will treasure. Before the ceremony I saw Nicholas sitting by himself and he looked like he was about to cry, so I picked him up and cradled him and told him it was alright to cry as much as he wanted to. About that time Maddy comes over and asks why Nick is crying, and I told her he was sad about Pops. And she said, you mean Pops going to heaven? And I said yes, but that it was ok, because there wasn't any sadness in heaven. It's only us that are left behind that are sad. She paused for about 20 seconds in thought, then says "I want to go swimming." Somehow those 5 little words made everything better for me - the innocence of children.

Graveside services - since Pops was a helicopter gunner in Vietnam, he received a military burial. It was tear-jerking hearing taps played, and captivating watching the soldiers carefully and methodically fold the flag and give it to Mimi D. And, it turns out, the soldiers were in Colonel's old unit. Colonel said he was amazed how Pops orchestrated the perfect service from heaven!

During the ceremony, Angie read her eulogy (between funny faces and skirt hikings in the peanut gallery;) and Colonel read the words to "The Sweet By and By", and old negro spiritual. And yes, negro spiritual is the proper term. You can read about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_(music)

I thought the words and the sentiment were beautiful. Here they are for you to enjoy.

SWEET BY AND BY WORDS BY SANFORD FILLMORE BENNETT, MUSIC BY JOSEPH P WEBSTER,

THERE'S A LAND THAT IS FAIRER THAN DAY
AND BY FAITH WE CAN SEE IT AFAR
FOR THE FATHER WAITS OVER THE WAY
TO PREPARE US A DWELLING PLACE THERE

(CHORUS) IN THE SWEET BY AND BY
WE SHALL MEET ON THAT BEAUTIFUL SHORE
IN THE SWEET BY AND BY
WE SHALL MEET ON THAT BEAUTIFUL SHORE

TO OUR BOUNTIFUL FATHER ABOVE
WE WILL OFFER OUR TRIBUTE OF PRAISE
FOR THE GLORIOUS GIFT OF HIS LOVE
AND THE BLESSINGS THAT HALLOW OUR DAYS (CHORUS)