2 weeks ago I gave the message at my skeet shooting buddy Byron's funeral; possibly the first time the Ward had a Baptist preacher participating. But the Bishop and State Director both told his wife it would be OK. Byron served in both theaters in WW2.
Here on the day of his 96th birthday at Ben Avery
After the service a member of the Ward thanked me and said "It's not as hard as doing your parent's funeral."
Next week I will be doing
my mother's funeral in KC. When I shared this won't be easy, my cousin commented "This is your gift to her." I'm thankful for the opportunity, and for having a family, despite the dysfunction of EVERY family, that loved and encouraged me, even if they never quite understood my joy in bird dogs, bird hunting and shooting
My father is teetering at 91, but his father lived to 107 so hopefully no more funerals for a bit.