Grandpa Washburn's Funeral

 On Sunday night March 21st we were trying to figure out if we were going to be doing a zoom call with the rest of Stephen's siblings when we found out that Dave had not been awake for over 24 hours and had labored breathing. Miriam was at the house and asked the night aid straight up how long Dad had to live and she suggested that anywhere from another day or two. Then they called the nurse and asked her opinion and she told Miriam to gather the family together because he had anywhere from 2 to 48 hours. Stephen and I debated whether or not to leave right then because it was after 10:00 at night and all the kids were in bed. We decided that we'd better go since he could go at any given moment, and we didn't want to miss our chance if we waited to go in the morning. So I called my friend Penny up and asked her if she could come over and stay with our kids for a few hours so Stephen and I could say our last good byes to Dave. She came over in a flash and camped out on the couch as we left. I am so grateful for her act of service and love for me and my family. All of Stephen's siblings told us to tell her thank you from them for letting us be there too. 

When we arrived at the house we went into the bedroom to see Dave and say goodbye. As more people showed up we gave them the room and the rest of us gathered in the living room to talk and laugh and bring up memories. We were all in a pretty good mood for having to say goodbye to a father, husband, and grandpa. But like Rachel mentioned in her talk at his funeral "It's what he would have wanted". And it's true; Dave loved spending time with his family talking, playing games, and telling jokes--and he joked around even on his deathbed which put a smile on my face. 

Dave passed away peacefully the following morning March 22, 2021 around 7:40 am.

Everyone, especially the girls, did a fantastic job planning out the funeral. It was beautiful. I feel like I have a better understanding about death after having it hit so close to home. There is so much comfort and peace that comes with the mourning and the sorrow that, for me, outweighed the sadness. The grandkids got to sing a couple of Grandpa's favorite songs, and then we left to dedicate the grave before burying him with his brother, Lon's ashes with him. He will be missed, but his legacy lives on. We love you Dave!