Celebration Of Life

Today was Grandpa Jones’ service. It was so beautiful. It was at the Methodist Church in Burley, Idaho – a building that holds many of my significant moments. I was baptized there. 3 out of my 4 grandparents had funeral services there. I was married there. And now the service for Grandpa.

It was below zero most of the time we were there so they had the military rites while at the church instead of at the grave site. They opened the church doors so we could hear the 21-gun salute outside, and even though I knew it was coming, it still scared the bejeezus out of me. And Taps ALWAYS makes me cry. The respect shown for the flag ceremony and for his accomplishments was just awesome. I was to the ugly cry at this point, even though every bit of that church was filled with joy and celebration for his amazing, wonderful, meaningful life. In Grandpa’s honor I leave you with what would have been the closing prayer by Brian Jones (cousin) if there would have been time:

THE FISHERMAN’S PRAYER
I pray that I may live to fish
Until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast,
I then most humbly pray:
When in the Lord’s great landing net
And peacefully asleep
That in His mercy I be judged
Big enough to keep.

Love and Prayers, Laura