Busy Celebrating

I am between Celebrations of Life:  Justin's and my Dad's.

More than 125 people came over the course of two hours to a local park shelter for Justin's celebration.  I'm not terribly comfortable being one of the focal people at large gatherings, so the whole thing was a blur to me.  Julia and her pickleball friends organized it. We ran out of beds and couches at our house.  Julia and I slept in the Scamp.

A soul food catering place from Madison brought in Justin's favorite foods: fried chicken, ribs, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread muffins.  A large assortment of Justin's Asian snacks was also put out for people to try.  The dried seafood was tried by many but liked by few.

Many tears were shed, but it was also a time for shared memories and laughs.  I'm finally sleeping better after almost six months of broken sleep patterns.

We gave away most of Justin's furnishings and valuable personal possessions.  One of those included the wheelchair van, which we planned to donate to someone in a need of a vehicle at Justin's church.  

Unfortunately, two days after the man (my age) received the vehicle and before he could get the title changed, he died after suffering a stroke.  It's just been that kind of year.  His surviving brothers and sister want the van to go to the church, and that's the tentative plan for now.  

My Dad's Celebration of Life will take place this Saturday in Iowa.  I expect a much smaller gathering as my Dad outlived most of his friends and family.  After that, I think Julia and I will head up north in the Scamp.