Saying Goodbye to Great Grandma

This weekend we flew to Florida to say goodbye to CK's Grandma, who was 96 years old. It's been hard to watch her decline over the years I've known her, and I know it has been really hard for CK. She was always so happy to see us, even as her mind declined and she maybe didn't always recognize us. She was always a great storyteller and would spend our visits telling us stories of growing up or even of the volunteer at the nursing home library (who didn't really exist). She could weave an amazing story. CK always loved to share stories of visiting her and spending weeks with her over his summers at house in Ft. Myers when he was growing up. He would reminisce with her every time we visited and it was hard for him to watch those memories slip away from her. She led a long life and it's been such a pleasure to know her and to get a chance to say goodbye.

We flew out on Friday and decided to fly commercial since we knew we couldn't let any potential weather get in the way of our travels. Airfare was really expensive so we ended up flying with Spirit, which the girls called the "Banana Planes" since they are all bright yellow. We kept joking that we might end up in Puerto Rico or somewhere instead of Florida! But, we made it and drove up to the farm.

The service for Ellen VanDevender was on Saturday morning at the Countryside Funeral Home in Anthony, Fl, and it was a really great turnout of Friends and celebration of her life and the hope we have in Jesus. After there was a buffet of food and CK loved visiting with family and friends he hadn't seen in years. Sofia and Olivia loved hanging out with their cousins and some other distant cousins they met that day.

After, we returned to the house with the leftovers and Connie's family came over to go through Grandma's photos and some other things. It was great to see CK's Aunts and Uncles who we don't get a chance to see often and the girls really love hanging out with all the cousins! CK took everyone on a hayride around the farm and we visited and ate more of the leftovers.

The burial was on Sunday down in Ft. Myers, which was a four hour drive, so we left at 9am. It was very hot at the cemetery and the service was very quick. Connie wanted to leave before her mom's casket was actually lowered into the ground, so we quickly got into our cars and headed out. We ended up driving back to a hotel CK rented for us to stay the night before our flight the next morning. We went to Charlie's Steakhouse for dinner, which is one of the oldest and best steak houses in Tampa? It was delicious! We gave goodbye hugs and kisses to Grandma and Grandpa and watched them drive back toward the farm. We checked into our room and the girls and CK swam in the hot tub and pool (just the girls). I joined them later. It was a nice service for a lovely lady, who will be missed.

The VanDevender family in the 1950s. Love this picture!

The cousins at the funeral.

Sofia and her shadow, Jackson. Jackson adores Sofia and follows her everywhere. He had to sit next to her at every meal!

The hayride!

Ellen's Grandchildren and spouses.

Ellen's Great Grandchildren!

All of her descendants! Pretty impressive!

These two cuties!

Cousins.

Girl cousins.

Grandma and Grandpa and all their little ones.

Our crew.

Cynthia and her family.

All of us!