Saying Goodbye to my Daddy

We went to Texas for my dad's funeral. Of course, we had a lot of family there and spent a lot of time visiting, remembering old times, and enjoying some good laughs.

Nicole and Jenalee

Gary and Jenalee

Mother and Jim

Ryan, Dana, and Jared

Danica and Chad

Kailee, Gene, and Sharon

Me and Mother

Dana and Mother

Chad enjoying some Oreos!

We had Daddy's viewing on Friday night at the funeral home in Crane, TX. His casket had flags on the handles and was very fitting. I thought Gary did a good job picking it out.
The inside of the casket lid had this flag. Daddy served in the Navy, so we had a military burial for him.

Gene and Jenalee

Ryan and Nicole

Me and my good friend from high school Sherry Milam. It was so good to see her and spend some time visiting.

My cousin Duane Gee came from Dallas to be at the funeral. He is the son of my daddy's sister. It was so good to see him. I don't even know how many years since I saw him. Probably was in my teens the last time. Long time anyway. So sweet that he made the time to come.

Some of the flowers at the cemetery.

Dana and me.

We had a nice luncheon at the church in Odessa after the funeral. It was so nice of them to serve us and we didn't have to worry about where to eat or cleaning it all up. Such a blessing. Tons of food was brought in to Gary and Sharon's home, too. We ate several meals at their home and enjoyed every bit of it. The peach cobbler, in particular, was to die for. Some like the banana pudding but I didn't even get a bite of it! Was gone before I even knew it came in the door. haha Many people blessed our lives by serving us and it was very special. Gary and Sharon have so many special friends in Odessa. We appreciate them sharing with the rest of us and getting to hang out at their home for a while.

Nicole and Glen

Gene and Jared

Chad, Bradley, and Avery

Mother, Dana and Kailee

Gary, me, Mother, and Dana

Aunt Martha and Dave Merrill (she was married to Daddy's brother who passed away in 1960.

Danica--aren't self portraits the best? haha

The whole Gaines clan. What a wonderful family I have. I love them.

Howland family

Gary Gaines family

Chad??? Is that you??

Reidhead bunch (minus Taralee and Rustin. We were sad they couldn't be there. Life gets in the way sometimes.)

Tamra, Gary, Dana, and Mother

Just chilling at Gary's house.

Wow, bunch of hunks! haha

Old Guys

Young Guys

It's too bad it took a sad occasion for a lot of us to get together, but I'm so thankful we had the time together. It was a special time and my daddy is not suffering anymore. and I know I will see him again. We will miss him terribly but I know he loved all of us and that he taught us well. He suffered a lot the last few years but especially the last 2 years. It was a hard thing to watch, that's for sure. But I have so many good memories to recall and am thankful I got to spend time with family laughing and remembering all the good times. I'm blessed indeed.