I traveled to Iowa last week to attend the funeral service for a dear lady who exemplified beauty not only in appearance, but also in spirit. Jo was a source of light for those close to her and will be missed terribly.

Uncle Mike also passed on last week.

My Dad(Jerry) lost his wife and only brother in a week’s time. My sister lost her mother, an uncle, and two of her chihuahuas in two month’s time.

The little chihuahua I am holding in the picture belonged to Jo. She has always had at least one as long as I have known her and passed the love of chihuahuas on to her daughter. There is a legend that chihuahuas lead their owners to the afterlife, a thought that provided some comfort in the closeness of these losses.

There are some big holes in the fabric of our family, but how lucky we were to have had them in our lives!

My week in Iowa, although marked by sadness, was also filled with goodness:

A beautiful, loving and heartwarming service for Jo.
Reconnecting with family I hadn’t seen for much too long.
The sharing of many stories.
Acts of genealogical kindness.
A visit to an old cemetery and the family there.
Revisiting some of my childhood haunts and visiting with people from my past.
Pictures – but not nearly as many as I wish I had taken.
And – although I missed my technology – the time spent just experiencing the moment and being with loved ones.