Revelation song and memories, part 2

we sing Because He Lives,
so much truth in that.
i whisper to my aunt at songs end
" because He lives, we can make it through today."
we sang " Christ arose"
the words so fitting as i know mom
is rejoicing in heaven. 
she has been for 12 weeks.

bird, her hubby-the-hunter, dad and 
my nephew arrive for lunch.
they had gone to church elsewhere.
dad looks so handsome in his grape colored
dress shirt.
even though his pants are baggy to the point of
ridiculousness, he looks handsome.
his face is peaceful.
i am so thankful.
we're gonna do this.
we can make it through this first 
holiday with out momma.
dinner is good.
hearts are okay.
kitchen cleaning happens.
(thanks always for your help bird.)
so far so good.

we are all outside enjoying the warm sunshine.
tossing balls to our dog patches.
we get weary of the game before she does, of course.
eventually the hunter hands her a stick.
now patches has never ever shown interest in stick fetching.
she's always looked at us like "really? a stick?"
but, she's given in and takes whatever bit of 
attention she can get.
bird tosses it a few times.
patch returns it.
kind of
she finds a bigger one. 
this stick is so long she looks like 
a lopsided, one antlered deer!
she is prancing about, pleased as punch
with herself.
we are all laughing.
she is so funny with it.
even daddy has chuckles and a big grin.
oh man!!
that does my heart grand.
dad is having joy. 
yeah!!
thanks God for joy in a dogs antics.
(mom liked dogs) 
***
later, bird, hunter, and dad stop
at the cemetery on the way home.
dad gets emotional as they take him to his car.
bird gets emotional later.
i finally give in to the sobs that need released.
we don't really want to feel like this.
it just happens.
once again, 
the cost of loving deeply.
the cost of being loved deeply.
love...
it does lead us to this 

"holy holy holy. 
is the Lord God Almighty.
who was and is and is to come.
with all creation i sing
praise to the king of kings.
You are my everything
and i will adore You."