Finally!

Ok, I've been abscent from the whole blogging thing for a while. (not the checking on everyone else, just mine!) First of all, after my dad died and I got home, I just couldn't find the right moment to sit and tell about his funeral and such. I guess that was due to being too painful. So, I thought maybe I would just go on, but then thought that was a little strange!
Thus, my lack of posting!
So, I don't know what to say...I truly love my dad and everything that he stood for. There is no question that he died, having lived a righteous life. What a wonderful gift he gave to all of us at his passing. Of course I have had hard times and miss him a lot. However, like I have said before, now he doesn't have to suffer anymore. There have been so many "moments" when I have wanted to share something with him--an email, joke, experience or whatever. And I can't. It has been hard not to be able to share those "moments".
Things were crazy when I finally got to Utah. There was so much to do! There isn't really much time to morn. We had a lot of fun talking and remembering the fun times and silly things about dad. It was so fun to find old pictures and remember the good 'ol times. One special thing is that my good friend Corissa made a video for us to show at the viewing. She spent HOURS on such short, short notice working on it. I wanted to help---but I was of no help! :) So, thanks again Corissa for helping us to document some of our dad's life. We had so many comments from people about the video. It was really neat! It was so amazing to me to see the love that people had for my dad. Of course, in my mind, he was an awesome man--but to see what he meant to others was really special. He really helped a lot of people. He loved people and his associations with them. Many people traveling long distances to be at the funeral.
The whole viewing and funeral thing is very bitter-sweet. It was so fun to see so many family and friends that I don't normally get to see. However, you never want to say goodbye to your dad! He was our friend, and father, the one we all went to with questions, needing advice, etc. There were so many people from our years living in CA. It felt like a Sunnyvale reunion at times. It was also like a huge family reunion too. We have a large extended family and so that was fun to see everyone. We also managed to get a family photo taken, and will doctor up the photo to put the three missing family members, dad-Ben on a mission-Rich in medical school. Pretty crazy trying to get all of our family to be at one place and be still! :) I think there are 32 grandchildren (including the marrieds), one great grandchild, 6 siblings --6 in-laws, and mom. (and there are 2 babies to be born this year) So fun to have such a large family. Something is always going on.
I can't believe what effort people took to be to the viewing and funeral. It meant so much to us as a family. Wow! And, so many hugs, nice cards, meals, and gifts I was given. They were all so thoughtful. I don't think I better start mentioning them because I might forget one! :)
Thanks to all of you who helped me throught this tough time with your kind words and gestures! It is so nice to have those little "comforts"! :)
Well, I think I have rambled on enough! (Maybe now I can get caught up on all the postings I've wanted to share.)