Grandma's Funeral

Grandma Hastings died at the end of May. We knew it was coming for the last couple of weeks. She'd been largely out of it toward the end of her life, not recognizing most people, not remembering that Grandpa had died, etc. She turned 98 in April, so she had a good, long life.

Coordinating everyone's schedule to find a date for the funeral was a Herculean task, but thanks to on-the-ball cousins, it was done. Saturday, June 2 was the only date that would enable every single grandkid to attend, so June 2 it was. (It was a tough weekend for Rob and Anna because of Lucy's high school graduation and Anders's birthday, but they made it work.)

Jim got Friday, June 1 off work, and we arranged for babysitters for Friday through Sunday. Paying for three days of sitters was expensive, but it was really nice to be able to go without the kids.

We flew out of Long Beach and tried a new trick for airport parking, taught to us by Gary Oddou. There's a Marriott with a huge, mostly-empty parking lot not far from the airport. We parked there and walked. (Gary often takes the hotel's airport shuttle, but we didn't.) It's not really legal, and is hence a little scary for me, but the Long Beach airport's long-term parking rates are so outrageous that it feels kind of OK. Anyway, we got some disgusting, overpriced food at the airport and then headed to our gate. Dee and Shan were on our flight. I laughed really hard when we walked from the courtyard into that wing of gates, and Dee and Shan were biking on these stationary bikes right inside the doors.

After much debate about whether to stay at least one night in Salt Lake, I'd booked a condo/cabin in Star Valley for Dee, Shan, Jim, and me for both nights. A worker at the rental car place suggested we use this weird kiosk to the right of the desk instead of talking to a live agent. Jim and I did not understand how to use the thing and kept staring at the computer-type screen wondering why it wasn't working. It turned out that there was a small screen above the computer-type screen where a person appeared to basically Skype with us. It ended up taking forever and being very annoying. Would have been way faster just to go through the regular line. Anyway, we finally got on the road.

I have been to Star Valley multiple times, but this time it was just overwhelmingly beautiful. The drive was stunning. Deetrix has some undiagnosed problem that makes him have to go to the bathroom every 15 minutes.  Seriously. It's kind of funny but kind of concerning. Anyway, when we pulled off for him to relieve himself, he saw a photo op and took it.

I nearly died when we came to the crest of the hill and started the descent into Star Valley at dusk. The view was breathtaking - the greenest hills (with lots of trees) stretching on and on, with snow-covered mountains behind them. My from-the-moving-car pic couldn't capture it.

We saw tons of deer all along the drive. I've never seen so many deer. Two very blurry ones appear in this picture:

We drove through Afton just for fun and then doubled back to our cabin, which was in this new little condo development on the edge of town. (Each cabin is independently owned and rented out.) The view from our place in the morning was stunning. 

Before long, throngs had descended on our backyard to fish in the water that ran between our place and the golf course. It seemed to be a very popular Saturday-morning destination.

Aunt Angela, who is the most amazing host there has ever been, invited everyone to their place for brunch. It was fun to see all the cousins. After visiting a while, we went back to the cabin to get changed and ready for the service. Coco and Dun Dun stopped at our place on their way into town to change clothes, too. Then we all headed over to the church. Coco took this photo from the church parking lot:

I love me a small town with a representative symbol or letter on a mountain overlooking the town.

I wasn't really emotional at all until I walked into the church and saw a video playing (photographs of Grandma) and heard Grandma's voice singing. That brought on the tears.

I quickly made my way to the room where we were to practice the music for the service. Grandchildren who like to sing had been recruited. I listened to my part for one of the songs ahead of time (Briana Hoffman texted audio of her singing the different parts) but had never heard how it fit in with the other parts. And I didn't hear the other song I was supposed to sing until I got to the church. I learned that day that I am not musically gifted enough to be able to sight-read a second-soprano part or learn it by singing it through a couple times. It was really bad. During the service, I only really noticeably messed up once, I think, but I have no idea how we sounded. Grandma may have been frowning down from heaven. Oh, well. We tried.

Other than that, the service was lovely. Dani, Courtney, and Jenny did a life sketch that contained many interesting tidbits and anecdotes. One thing they mentioned was that when the church first came out with family home evening, Grandma said, "That's for the leaders. We do that every night." They really did seem to have quite an idyllic family life.

Pod, Terry, and Liz all spoke. Pod said that he worried about going too long but then realized that Grandma would say, "No, go on!" So true. Grandma was hilarious and feisty.

The family headed straight to the cemetery after the funeral. It's a gorgeous spot to be buried.

Seeing Alyn's grave made me cry, especially since Nicole and Avenlee were having a moment there.

The grandsons brought in Grandma's coffin, and Pod dedicated the grave.

Family photos were taken. This first one made me laugh because Udon is known for closing his eyes in pictures (although I do feel he's gotten better in recent years):

 Siblings:

The ward put on a wonderful luncheon for all the family back at the church. I mostly visited with Dani while we ate. Then I awkwardly tried to make conversation with Avenlee while things were winding up, and I've regretted it ever since. Sometimes it's really hard being a social idiot.

We made sure to get a picture of the world's largest elkhorn arch that afternoon.

We met back at Terry and Angela's, and then we went with the Terry Hastings cousins to the Red Baron - Afton's classic hangout. Dani was a carhop there during high school. Quintessential old-time, small-town America, right here:

While we ate, cousin Ryan told us about the time he found out the kids from other Star Valley towns called those from Afton "townies" and sort of had a thing about Afton kids because they were believed to be rich and cosmopolitan and snobbish or something. The whole thing sounded straight out of a movie and was hilarious because Afton is the teeniest little place (fewer than 2,000 residents). I loved hearing the cousins' stories about growing up there and became completely enamoured with the place. It's this idyllic little town plucked from the 1950's. Traveling there is like traveling back in time. Jim and I started talking a lot about moving and where we could give our kids a magical, safe, old-timey childhood. 

Anyway, there was some parking lot lingering as people prepared to say goodbye. Bags took the picture below. I thought, "Dang, I look pretty good!" until I realized I was looking at Nicole. No wonder I looked so tall and thin.

Coco and Dun Dun headed back to SLC with Rob and Anna. (Rob and Anna had an early flight out Sunday morning.) Nicole and others also had to head out. For those of us who were staying, Dani had suggested a drive up the canyon along Snake Creek (pronounced "Snake Crick" according to Pod and the other Afton locals). Mamo, Pod, Dee, Shan, and I headed up with her after the Baron. It was beautiful, and I really have never seen a faster-flowing, more aptly-named creek. My camera did not do it justice; my pictures turned out terrible.

We took a few photos at the end of the road. I'm sad that the group one is blurry and that I don't have one with Dani.

Jim and I lamented that we didn't have more time there so we could hike and explore. There needs to be a lot more Star Valley in our future.

Jim had promised to return to the Red Baron for a round 2 that night. He was desperate to try the pizza burger but had been talked into ordering something else during our first visit. He despaired when we started to head down the canyon and it was clear we wouldn't make it back before closing. I called the restaurant and got no answer. I decided to go anyway, just in case. Turns out in a small town, businesses don't always close right when they're supposed to if people are still coming. We got to go in and order more burgers and shakes (about two hours after our last order). Jim enjoyed the pizza burger, and I totally saved the day.

We tried to watch a movie that night but were too tired and had to go to sleep. Sunday morning Jim and I left for the SLC airport before Dee and Shan woke up. This time we stopped at the top of the valley to take proper pictures. Late spring in Star Valley is truly magical.

I'm glad Grandma and Grandpa are together again and can't wait to see them on the other side.