Funeral Weekend in KC

Copied and pasted from The Chapman's Blog:

We were in Kansas City last Thursday through Sunday for Grandma Jack's funeral. It was a whirlwind weekend filled with lots of fun, family, and emotions. My whole family was in town, and it was wonderful to be together again. When we arrived at the airport on Thursday evening, Larry and Betty picked us up and drove us to the Plaza where we were staying. We enjoyed a lovely dinner with them, then went to our apartment and crashed. The Walsh family arrived early Friday morning, and since they stayed at Aunt Kathy's house, we went over to see them and let the cousins play together. We went to a fun park, had a Chick-Fil-A picnic, and enjoyed the beautiful fall day. That evening, everyone come to my parents' condo on the Plaza for dinner and more playing.

Grandma's funeral was on Saturday morning at 11am at Nall Avenue Baptist Church. Lots of family members were there, including many whom I hadn't seen in years, and it was great to see them and spend some special time remembering Grandma. It was sad, but also joyful at times.

After the funeral, this kids rested while my mom, sisters, and I went to my grandma's storage unit. It was interesting to sort through all of her things, many of which brought back memories from her home on Riggs and her life with Grandpa. I brought home a few special things (a ring that Grandpa made) and a few practical things.

Saturday evening everyone gathered together in the common area in our condo complex and we had lots of fun watching the Royals playoff game, eating pizza, swimming, and playing. I think we spent 5 hours there, and it was the perfect (i.e. large) space for us to be together.

Some folks went to church on Sunday (Samuel went to the Sunday School class that Courtney is teaching) but Nathan and I elected to have a low-key morning packing and getting ready to go. After church, we all met at Aunt Kathy's house for lunch and hanging out until it was time to go to the airport. It was Jack's birthday, so we sang to him and had a little party. Again, it was a beautiful day so the kids played outside and had a grand time playing together. Samuel and Jack played Legos together for the longest time and played so well together. Jack was so sweet to Samuel and even gave him one of the Lego sets he received for his birthday. Our flight left KC around 6:30pm and we finally arrived at home in Athens at midnight. It was a long day for our kids, but they did fine and both slept a lot on Monday to recover.

The weekend was full of so many blessings, some big and some little, but together they helped make the weekend really special:
- We stayed in a condo on the Plaza that was in the building next door to my parents' condo. It is the home of their good friends Rex and Susan Bonar, and they were so gracious to let us have the whole condo for the weekend. It was great to have plenty of space for the boys and a place for our family to be separate from the large group. We rested well there and were so thankful for the gift of a place to stay.
- The condo complex where we stayed had amazing amenities, and we made full use of them. We enjoyed the pool, hot tub, exercise room, and game room. It was like staying at a really nice hotel!
- A chance to catch up with Larry and Betty; even though it was short, it was wonderful to touch base with them and enjoy a dinner together. We even had dinner at Houston's and it was fun to tell Samuel that it was the restaurant where Nathan and I had our first date!
- Wonderful weather for the entire time that allowed us lots of time outside at parks and the pool. Sunshine is such good medicine.
- Nathan, Josiah, and I took some time on Sunday morning to casually walk around the Plaza. It was sweet to be back in a place that holds so many memories, and it made me want to go back again soon.
- The Royals were playing in the American League Division Series in KC while we were there, and it was fun to be in a town that is so excited about a team. The fountains were all dyed blue, folks were wearing their Royals gear, and the town felt so alive.
- My mom arranged for babysitters during the funeral, and I so appreciated the chance to really focus on the service, remember Grandma, and have conversations with family and friends.
- So many family friends came to the service, and it was sweet to see people who have been a part of my life for so many years. I loved catching up with Sherry and Larry Rink, Gerri and Amy Webster, Gerry and Roxanne Andrews, Ray Hildebrand, and many others.
- Gullickson family members also came to the funeral, including Grandma and Grandpa Weldon, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Mark, and Alan and Shanna.