On Wednesday, I flew to Santa Barbara, California, to attend the memorial service for my dear Aunt Nancy. By way of background - in my mom's family, there were three children: Mom, her twin sister Diane (aka "Mikie", and their younger brother Hank. Nancy was my late Uncle Hank's beloved wife. She herself was the mother of seven amazing children, and it was a joy to be with them and with many other family members these past few days.
This is one of the last pictures taken of Aunt Nancy before she passed away. She is surrounded by all seven of her children, who of course are my cousins. From left to right: John, Hank, Kim, Aunt Nancy, Jana, Scott, Jeannie, and Brett.
First: when I arrived in Santa Barbara, Mom picked me up at the airport and took me by her former home. She has been trying to sell it for many months, and - finally - it has sold. She took me through it so I could see it one last time before the new owners move in next week. This is the home all our kids have grown up visiting, so it's kind of sad to see it sell, but Mom is very excited to embark on her new home-building venture, so I am, of course, excited for her!
The SOLD sign had just been put on the realty sign - Mom was ecstatic about it!
We then drove by the "new" house - but look quick, because it has a date with a bulldozer. After this house is removed, Mom will build her new home on this lot. I went through this house, too, and believe me, it's only fit for a bulldozer!
On Thursday morning, we all gathered for the memorial service. I don't have pictures from inside the chapel, as it was a very small, private service. The picture above was taken at the graveside service afterwards. My cousin Scott, Aunt Nancy's fifth child and a deacon in the Catholic Church, officiated at both the memorial service and the graveside service. He did a very nice job.
At the conclusion of the graveside service, the urn was placed in the ground, and various family members put shovelfuls of dirt in the grave. Here, Mom and Aunt Mikie take their turn. Of course, being twins, they said they had to put in two scoops!
One huge cause for rejoicing was that all six "Olson kids" attended the service. What a delight it was to be able to visit with ALL my brothers and sisters! Here we all are at the cemetery. From left: Chuck, John, Willa, Doug, me, and Andrea.
And Mom was thrilled to have all of her chickens come home to roost. Here she gets in the picture.
Mom and Aunt Mikie love to dress alike, and the memorial service was no exception. Mom is on the right.
After the service and the lunch which followed, we went to Goleta Beach for an Olson gathering. I was so happy to meet my grand-niece for the first time. Cecilia is the daughter of my nephew Stefan and his wife Jen. I brought a doll for her, and my sister Andi brought a doll stroller. Cecilia caught on right away to the idea of pushing her new doll in the stroller. It was so fun!
Here my brother-in-law, Mark, who is Cecilia's grandpa, helps her get the hang of it. Before long, though, she was pushing it around all by herself. It was such a great time with my immediate and extended family. I'm very glad to be home, but I have wonderful memories to feast on for days and weeks to come.
This is one of the last pictures taken of Aunt Nancy before she passed away. She is surrounded by all seven of her children, who of course are my cousins. From left to right: John, Hank, Kim, Aunt Nancy, Jana, Scott, Jeannie, and Brett.
First: when I arrived in Santa Barbara, Mom picked me up at the airport and took me by her former home. She has been trying to sell it for many months, and - finally - it has sold. She took me through it so I could see it one last time before the new owners move in next week. This is the home all our kids have grown up visiting, so it's kind of sad to see it sell, but Mom is very excited to embark on her new home-building venture, so I am, of course, excited for her!
The SOLD sign had just been put on the realty sign - Mom was ecstatic about it!
We then drove by the "new" house - but look quick, because it has a date with a bulldozer. After this house is removed, Mom will build her new home on this lot. I went through this house, too, and believe me, it's only fit for a bulldozer!
On Thursday morning, we all gathered for the memorial service. I don't have pictures from inside the chapel, as it was a very small, private service. The picture above was taken at the graveside service afterwards. My cousin Scott, Aunt Nancy's fifth child and a deacon in the Catholic Church, officiated at both the memorial service and the graveside service. He did a very nice job.
At the conclusion of the graveside service, the urn was placed in the ground, and various family members put shovelfuls of dirt in the grave. Here, Mom and Aunt Mikie take their turn. Of course, being twins, they said they had to put in two scoops!
One huge cause for rejoicing was that all six "Olson kids" attended the service. What a delight it was to be able to visit with ALL my brothers and sisters! Here we all are at the cemetery. From left: Chuck, John, Willa, Doug, me, and Andrea.
And Mom was thrilled to have all of her chickens come home to roost. Here she gets in the picture.
Mom and Aunt Mikie love to dress alike, and the memorial service was no exception. Mom is on the right.
After the service and the lunch which followed, we went to Goleta Beach for an Olson gathering. I was so happy to meet my grand-niece for the first time. Cecilia is the daughter of my nephew Stefan and his wife Jen. I brought a doll for her, and my sister Andi brought a doll stroller. Cecilia caught on right away to the idea of pushing her new doll in the stroller. It was so fun!
Here my brother-in-law, Mark, who is Cecilia's grandpa, helps her get the hang of it. Before long, though, she was pushing it around all by herself. It was such a great time with my immediate and extended family. I'm very glad to be home, but I have wonderful memories to feast on for days and weeks to come.
3 comments:
Glad you could all get together! I like seeing all 6 of you kids standing in the lineup...
wow what big family! That picture of all seven of the kids is so sweet.
I'm sorry for the loss of your aunt but what a blessing to be together with all your brothers and sisters and what a beautiful town to be able to visit.
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