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So we buried mom yesterday in her home town . . . in a beautiful little cemetery along with her mom, dad, brother and sister . . . and where my ashes will be scattered when I join her.

Last Friday, we called a funeral home the family's used there for years. They arranged for her body to be picked up here at my home and took it to their facility -- where it had to be embalmed before it could cross state lines. By the time the Death Certificate and permits were obtained, it was Tuesday before she could be flown home.

We left for Kentucky on Tuesday. Wednesday was spent making all of the arrangements with the funeral home, the florist, the monument company. And Thursday she was waked and buried. She was sent on her final journey by five nieces and their spouses, her brother and sister-in-law, one grand nephew, Tom and I.

Her casket was beautiful, if I do say so myself . . . silver trimmed in chrome . . . a sparkly-girl 'til the end. My cousin Sue who spent sooo much time with her this last year was on vacation with family and didn't attend. Mom was glad she stayed in Florida, I think. She sent a beautiful blanket for roses for her casket. Mom's name was Rose. Her casket was lined in a pink quilted satin, on the inside lid were soft pinkish red roses. Her monument has a rose on each side of her name.

She wore a sparkly dark pink/grey blouse, black slacks, and sparkly little shoes, Tucked inside and unseen was a little pink sequined baseball cap of a hat she loved to wear . . . and one of the roses from Sue's flower blanket.

All of the flowers were designed around that beautiful blanket. There weren't a lot, but they were lovely.

At the very beginning of the service, I played Goin' Home, the perfect hymn for mom, I know. A Bill Gaither arrangement. The preacher said some beautiful words after the one-hour wake, and six big strong handsome men carried her to the hearse. She always loved big strong handsome men. ;)

At the cemetery, they put up a little awning-of-a-thing and some chairs for me, Tom and her 77-year-old brother and his wife. The rest stood. We said a brief prayer. I took a picture of the closed casket to show Sue her beautiful flowers. And we left her with her loved ones.

We went to my cousin's house for some chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, potato salad, a fruit salad and apple cobbler. In two hours, we hugged and kissed, cried one last time and said good-bye.

We drove home today.

If I really thought I'd left mom under the ground, I would have dug her up.

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I am sorry for your loss but I hope you can find some peace in your life. Hugs
(1)
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I'm happy you could send your mom off in a style she would have enjoyed and appreciated. Thanks for sharing her loving tribute with us. {{{Hugs}}}}
(4)
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God bless you Maggie. I hope you find comfort in all you have done for your mother. God is with you and so are my prayers.
(3)
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Maggie, every Mother would be grateful for such a loving daughter and family. What a beautiful tribute to your Mom, Rose. My Grandma shared the same beautiful name. Grandma Rose was flown to her final resting place "The End of the Trail" in Rupert, W.Va..near her family home as well. May all the sweet memories of the time you spent with your Mom fill your days...and her love will carry you..
(3)
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I am so sorry Maggie to hear of your loss. I might have posted that already but cannot remember. Hugs
(3)
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Maggie, thank you so much for sharing the memorial with us, and for sharing all the things happening just prior and month's prior. Loved how everything centered around *roses*. {hugs}
(4)
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Lovely to read how loved she was. On whatever level these things happen, she'll have known that too. May she rest in peace (that's just her memorial - don't dig her up!).
(3)
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May all your happy memories continue to bring you comfort.
(5)
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Hugs and prayers for you Maggie...May you find peace and comfort in a job well done and knowing your Mom is now happy and well again. (((((hugs)))))
(6)
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Well done, Maggie! (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))
(6)
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:')

A beautiful ceremony for a great lady. ((((Maggie))))
(7)
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Thank you, Boni. And you're so right. I REALLY lost mom quite a few months ago. Oh, there were little tiny vestiges of her every day that I loved and cherished, but I accept what I knew was the inevitable. Thank you for your so-kind words. And blessings. *Hugs*
(7)
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It sounds like a beautiful send off for her trip home.You were a wonderful daughter and I'm sure she would have been pleased with how you handled everything. I think you have been mourning for a long time and I hope you see this as a beginning, not an end. God Bless you Maggie. God bless Rose.
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