Today was Grandpa John’s funeral. We got up and drove up to Fitchburg. We made good time and arrived right at the start of the calling hours. Eva immediately took to one of Allison’s cousin’s daughters. She followed her around, bossed her around and had fun with her. She was also extremely sweet and charming as ever. She was comforting to Grandma Eva too.

I was one of the pallbearers alongside Grandpa John’s 5 grandsons. The service at the church was wonderful and the priest centered around one word, “good”. The priest mentioned in talking with everyone that they described Grandpa John as a good man. He was good. Everyone we talked to also described Grandpa John as good, too.

After the church service we went over to the cemetery for an additional service and the presentation of the flag to Grandma Eva. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the shrine as Taps was played. I know that I got choked up at that point.

After that ceremony we went back to the church hall for a small reception. There we said hello to everyone who came. I didn’t see much of Allison and Eva from the time we left the funeral home earlier in the morning. Eva helped keep the mood light by dancing around the stage and asking everyone to dance with her. That kid is adorable.

We visited with Grandma Eva in her home after the reception. We were there with Allison’s brother and sister-in-law and their kids. I finally got to see my new nephew. We were unable to go up and see him the last time that Allison’s parents were home a few weeks ago. He’s a sweetheart, and huge already. Big baby boy.

We left Fitchburg late afternoon. Stopped for some McDonalds (Thanks Dan and Marcia). A nice trip home where Allison got to Knitting with her “Stitches”. I got to the house and Eva went to visit with Auntie Tara. I had some time to myself and was able to decompress. I held Eva’s hand until she fell off to sleep (Halfway through The Real Princess) and then I hung out still decompressing. Allison came home and was exhausted so she went to bed early. I did as well and got to do some reading.

We should never go to bed early. Eva woke up multiple times through the night. Around 12 or 2 I ended up just crawling in bed to help her fall back asleep. She finally got to bed at 2:37am. Or at least that was when I woke up in her bed and slipped out of the bed to keep her from waking up. I think the past few days finally caught up with her and she was expressing her sadness that everyone has been feeling. She loved Grandpa John as did we all.