for my brother

There are times when you need to be there for your loved ones, and this was one of those times. My brother's wife passed away and I needed to be there for him, so off we went. Matty and I drove all the way up to my cousin Shell's house in Utah (11 hours) in one day... and a few more hours the next day to the beautiful cemetery in northern Utah where most of my family is buried. 

~

The above photo is a rainbow we encountered on the long drive up, during one of the many thunder showers we managed to get caught in. I thought it was a poignant beginning to our trip.

 Some of the many beautiful flowers Shell got ahead of time to take to the cemetery -

as always, she was such a help and comfort to both my brother and I :) 

 A lovely casket arrangement brought by my brother's pastor and his wife - such a thoughtful gesture :)

 My brother Ric (far left) and a few close friends who we so kind to make the drive.

(and my cousin Shell of course, and Matty on the far right)

 Ric and I - I really love this pic :)

 The Ben Lomund Cemetery in north Ogden Utah is so beautiful sitting there below the mountains.

 My maternal grandfather (left), my aunt Lola - my mother's older sister who died as a child (center), and my maternal grandmother are all buried here. Many other ancestors are here as well.

And of course my mother and father are both buried here.

My mother passed away just 4 years ago, and my father back in 1996. I really miss him.

My cousin Shell and I designed their headstone and that means a lot to me :)

It was an exhausting day, but a very, very lovely one as well. Such good people and family.

I want my brother to know how much I love him - xoxo