Yesterday Rylan and I attended Juli Shanks' funeral. She was such a great woman! She was so funny and sarcastic - which is what I loved about her. She was someone who helped me deal with some of the "Shanks men" while I was married to Darren. Especially when Great Grandpa Shanks told me my morning sickness was "all in my head."
She was diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago with breast cancer; then was cancer free for some time. Until it came back with a vengeance in her spine and her bones, and unfortunately it took her life this time around. She was a young 63. Her daughters paid tender tributes with just the right amount of humor mixed in, which is exactly how Juli would have had it. She had such a great sense of humor. In fact, the song she had played as they were wheeling the casket out of the chapel afterward was the graduation theme song.
So that was a sad, but sweet moment for us all. We worry for Uncle Bill, but we're grateful Juli is not in pain any more.
When I came back to work today I noticed my little rose plant (whom I have affectionately named "Rose") had sprouted a bunch of new starts. It made me think about new life.
We know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Happiness Juli is going to be once again reunited with her Bill and her children and grandchildren - and that will be a new life. I remember thinking when my dad passed away that I was happy for him because he wasn't in pain any more, but I was sad for those of us who were left behind without a husband, father and grandfather. But I know I will be able to see him and live with him again someday.
For that, I am so thankful. I don't know how families survive a death without that knowledge.
Beautiful, beautiful post! It was nice to learn something about her. I think it's kinda cool they played a graduation song as her casket left, I've never heard of that before. Amazing!
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