We made it to Redfield in time for the tail end of a prayer service. The place was PACKED. I didn't know about the service and had been kind of expecting that it would be kind of winding up when we arrived with about an hour left to go in the visitation. I quickly remembered how well Pat was known and loved in the community and surrounding communities.

Pat looked good. It broke my heart because in the casket were letters to her from her grandchildren, some who are too young to have a lot of memories of her. There were tons of pictures to look at, including a couple of Pat with Mom that I'd never seen before. In one, Mom is giving a look that is one that Ella gives us often.

I saw both of my uncles and their wives at the visitation. I think Neil said a half dozen words to me between the visitation and the service. Ken was a bit more talkative with me. I don't think either spoke to my dad, which really pisses me off. They need to grow up, put on their big boy pants, nut up and talk to their sister's husband. If my mom was alive, or if Pat was alive, and saw how Ken and Neil were treating Dad, there would be some ass kicking. I did see Neil heading over to a casino as we were leaving the service. Have heard that he has been drinking a lot (a family trait), so wasn't surprised to see him heading to such a place to get something to cope.

Rich and Pat's daughters all looked shell shocked. I saw and felt that after Mom passed. I visited a bit with my cousins and watched a slide show they had put together on the computer. So many great pictures of Pat with her girls and with her grandkids.

The funeral was Monday AM. The church in Tulare ended up being packed. Ella had some problems sitting still and Tylan was a bit fussy, so Amy took them to the back. The pastor read a letter from two of Pat's grandkids which were heart wrenching. That was followed by my cousin, Jennifer (Neil's only kid) reading a poem. Accalia was sobbing after that. She is such an empathic kid and being around that grief has a big effect on her. The pastor said Pat had been hinting to her family that she was not going to be around much longer, so she had been trying to get everyone prepared. The service concluded with "Tears In Heaven" by Eric Clapton. We proceeded to the cemetery that was several miles out of town. The graveside service was brief. I don't like the whole graveside thing. I know the body is a shell, but I hate the thought of leaving the remains there alone. We went back to the church, ate, and got back on the road.