On August 6, 2011, my sweet Grandpa Stout passed away. It was of natural causes and was really a beautiful experience.
The Monday before he passed away, my grandma could tell it was getting close. She called all of the family together to say goodbye. Kyle was still at work, so I took the girls and headed down. Many of my family members were there. Lots of them were crying. A few were reminiscing. There was a lot of sadness, but there was also a lot of peace in the home. I walked back to my grandpa's room. He was lying in the bed, surrounded by his posterity. He looked so peaceful.
Grandpa's face lit up when I walked into the room with Lucy and Lylah. He always had a soft spot for the babies. By this point, he really wasn't speaking much anymore. He had had a lot of mini-strokes, and it had left him unable to do most things. But he talked to Lucy that afternoon. He kissed her and she kissed him. He held Lylah up in the air and sang her a little song. He kissed me too, and told me "Grandpa sure loves you". I already knew that. Kyle was able to make it down a little later and say goodbye to him too.
This picture was taken when Lylah was about a week old and meeting Grandpa for the first time. I love it.
It really was incredible. My grandpa was a man of great love. That was manifest to me in his last week in so many ways. He held on to consciousness until he had said goodbye to every one of his decedents. Every single one of us had a unique and beautiful experience with him just before he passed away. I was so grateful for that.
Grandpa passed away on Saturday evening. His funeral was held the following Wednesday in Orem and his burial was the day after that in Hagerman Idaho. I was able to spend the days between that making a video of his life. It was so therapeutic for me.
I didn't get a ton of pictures at the funeral, and the ones I did get were mostly of the people who came to support our family. Here are a few though:
This is Josh. He is my dad's age and lived with my grandma and grandpa for a while when grandpa was a mission president in Japan. He's like a son to them. He came all the way from New York City for the funeral, then had to catch a plane right back home after. He didn't even get to stay for lunch. We were touched that he came.
(On a side note, Josh is the one who introduced my mom and my dad! Cute!)
Here are most of the granddaughters:
And most of the grandsons:
The burial was on Thursday in Hagerman, Idaho. It is a beautiful cemetery, where my great-grandpa Shaffer is already buried.
Here is the casket and some of the people who attended. Aren't the flowers gorgeous?
So typical of my Uncle Allen, watering the flowers. He's always taking care of things.
Grandma Shaffer. Love her.
Love this shot. My two grandmas and my daddy.
John and Todd looking and Grandpa and Grandma Shaffer's headstone. Yes, this was posed. :)
Aww, love these two.
Uncle Davey...
My cousins are all getting so old! Carson's goal was to get Lucy to like him by the end of the day. He was successful-by the time we all headed home Lucy called him her "friend Carson".
Grandma and Conner.
The casket and the tent. It was beautiful weather.
Getting ready to start the service.
My grandparents were married in the Hawaii Temple and have always had such a soft place in their hearts for anything Hawaiian. The flowers were so beautiful and tropical. Perfect!
Uncle Tim conducted.
The grandkids sang a medley of primary songs both at the burial and at the funeral the day before.
Then my Aunt Wendy and cousin Emily sang a beautiful song.
My great-uncle Dave said a few words.
And my dad's cousin Jill sang "Consider the Lillys".
Finally, Allen and Preston sang.
My dad dedicated the grave.
At the end, Grandma gave each of the grandchildren a flower to put on the casket. It was so sweet.
Afterwards, we were able to get a picture of Grandma Shaffer with the only brother she still has living. Aren't they cute?
Lucy's favorite part of the cemetery.
Kyle, Mark and Chelsey weren't able to get work off 2 days in a row. This is the rest of us with Grandma Shaffer.
Grandma Shaffer, Grandma Stout, and each of her 6 children.
I love you Grandpa. God be with you 'til we meet again.
