Hello All,
Today was Barbara's funeral and it was a wonderful day. Nice blue sky's and lots of friends to share the day with.
There were many, many, many beautiful flower arrangements at the chapel for her from many different people. The room was FULL of people who had come to pay their respects and to offer some nice words and memories of Barbara.
A eulogy was prepared by her son, Mike, (with the help of his father and Aunt Ann) and was read to us by H Newell.............. He is a very good speaker and has a voice that travels well and to the back of the room. He also added some of his memories and good times with Barbara and that was helpful to the family to hear these happy things. In fact, he made us all laugh, when he told o f the way Barbara and some of the other ladies would play poker while out camping until 2 o'clock in the morning keeping all of the husbands up with their laughing and giggling and immense cheering when someone won the jackpot, which was probably only abou t 75 cents. He said it sounded like someone had won the big one in Laughlin or something.
Another one who stood up to speak was a woman named Marsha. She grew up with Mike & Dave when they had their first house in LaVerne. She said that Barbara was like a second mother to her and her 6 other brothers & sisters and even said that Barbara had taken her shopping one year to get something for mothers day and Barbara helped her chose something and also paid for it. Another thing she said was that Barbara used t o always make a big box of cookies at Christmas time. All different kinds. Marsha also said that every year including this past one she makes all of those cookies that Barbara used to make at Christmas time and remembers when she was a little girl and Barb ara used to make all of those goodies.
Madeline, Barbara's best friend, stood up to remember Barbara too. She said that when ever there was something that needed to be done, like decorating or cooking or whatever for some elk function or whatever, Madeline said that she would always volunteer by saying "Oh we could do that." and Barbara would say, "We? You got a mouse in your pocket?" and of course Barbara and Madeline would take care of everything. Madeline said she was going to miss Barbara. A lot.
Annabel, another friend of Barbara's stood to tell of the many times that They went to LasVegas together with all of the Elks. One time the ladies found out where all of the places were that were giving out free ice cream. And they walked everywhere on the str ip to have all of this free ice cream. Annabel also noted that she would miss Barbara very much.
Stan, Barbara's brother-in-law, stood to tell us of a time, (shortly after he married Ann, Barbara's sister) when Barbara's prom date got sick and couldn't tak e her to the prom, and so Stan put on his Military uniform and took Barbara to her prom. He said they had a really fun time................... He also said that Barbara's grandparents had a summer home in Wisconsin and they had gone there to visit and wen t water skiing. And Barbara was so uncoordinated she never could get up on those ski's, but she kept trying time and time again, but never did make it up. (That was a funny story too and made us laugh also.)
The rest of the services were equally nice and t he friendship and love that we, the family, felt was enormous. The Chapel staff announced to the people that there would be refreshments and such at the Nichols home directly afterwards, and Annabel & the bunco ladies, as well as our friends Dale & Elaine went to Al's house and set up lots of food and drink for everybody to enjoy. We were all there from about 12.30 until almost 6pm. Everyone was wonderful and happy memories all around.
There were about 75 people or so at the services to help us all with th e loss of such a wonderful person. There to help us with our grief and sorrow and to support us in our time of need. There were people from the work places of Al, Dave, Tami, Mike & Brandi's. Most of Brandi's family, many, many elk members, Barbara's sist e r & brother-in-law, many, many friends of various family members, friends of Mike & Dave's from childhood and others. It was a wonderful turnout..................... One of the things Al said to the boys was that the people who came who are friends of you rs are the friends you want to keep around, as they were there not even knowing Barbara, they were there to support you boys.
As I write this, I miss her more and more and my eyes are starting to tear up in disbelief that she is really gone. I told Dave ye sterday that I am going to write a book. He asked what about? And I said I am going to write a book about Barbara's life, and how she became "A Christmas Angel". I am hoping that it will help he and his family with future Christmas's. (but sssssshhhhhh I didn't say anything to Al or Mike & Brandi, it will be a surprise for later on in the year, I hope !!!)
As for these 2 grandbabies that are cooking inside of me & my sister-in-law. Al can't wait to be able to play with them and hold them up in the air and stuff. I want to tell you my own personal view on the fact that Barbara will not be here to enjoy them.................. I have a "made up" belief of my own to help me with this, and I think that the babies souls go back and forth from heaven to our tummies the whole 9 months of pregnancy, I think that they are being given instructions from God and also getting to know us, our voices and whatnot. I think that when we are feeling sickly during pregnancy that is the time when the babies are visiting heaven and getting instructions for life, (And I have been very sick lately and so there must be a lot of instructions). But anyway, I also think that at these times when the babies are up in heaven, Barbara is up there holding them and comforting them and getting them ready for life with her sons & daughters-in-law and because this is what, I think happens, it helps me to know that she is not missing out on the babies at all, she is helping them along on their way to life.
That's what I think anyway.
Well people, I want to thank you all for being a part of my life and helping and Dave & Ricky through this hard time of ours. And thank you for allowing me to get my feelings out with my long drawn out letters. I appreciate you all.
Tami =)~