"Mommy," Everly asked as they walked into the church.
"We're okay," Allison assured.
"Is nana coming," Everly asked.
"No," Allison said, "it's her funeral that means she's dead. Today people are going to talk about how wonderful NanaA was. You're going to sit with daddy and I'm going to go with Leo, Ellie, Matt, Henry, Faroke, Cat and Annie."
"Where are you going," Everly asked.
"Were going to come in together," Allison explained, "with a big box called a casket."
"What's a casket," Everly asked even though this had been explained at home.
"The casket is a special box where a person's body goes after they die," Asher said, "Nana's body is in the box."
"Take Nana out of the box," Everly said.
"We can't," Allison replied, "we'll do this today and have a church service then in a couple weeks we'll all go up to the cabin and they're putting in a special bench to remember Nana in her favourite spot by the river."
"I miss Nana," Everly whined.
"I do too," Allison agreed.
"So do I," Asher answered.
They walked into the church and joined the rest of the family, everyone dressed in black even the little kids, Everly, Khitam and 1 year old Will. Chris and Jenna joined them with their boys Tyler and Dillon.
"You okay," Jenna asked Annie.
"I will be," Annie replied, " it's a lot to take in that she's not here. I was 19 the first time I met her."
"Annie," Jenna sighed giving her friend a hug.
"We've been through a lot together Jen," Annie shook her head.
"Rural rotation, internship, residency, dating, kids, weddings," Jenna said.
"South Dakota," Annie smiled, "that was a million years ago. I was 24?"
"I was 26 so ya," Jenna agreed.
"Faroke checked his watch and signalled the others to follow him. Asher guided Everly to their seats in the front, saving a spot beside them for Allison.
When everyone was seated Evelyn's grandchildren and her older great grandchildren walked with her casket to the front of the church before taking their seat.
Allison sat between Everly and Teddy. She reached over and squeezed her mom's hand. Allison needed her mom today. Everly scooted closer to Allison and with one arm Allison lifted her daughter into her lap. She sniffled back her tears as the pastor spoke, Asher took her hand and squeezed it. Allison had been close to Evelyn, going to visit a couple times a week and calling her most days, always sending videos of Everly or photos of their days. Leo sat woodenly between Asher and Annie. Charlotte had been unable to come up for the funeral and miss a couple days of her teaching practicum. Leo felt alone as his sisters leaned on their husbands for support and comfort.
Owen got up to speak, "We want to thank everyone for coming today. Seeing how many people are here says how much mom was loved. Mom was 98 when she passed, she would have turned 99 next week. She was a valiant fighter who faced every challenge with a positive attitude and courage. Looking at the front row I see the real testament to mom's spirit, her children, children in law, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Mom was the person who kept this family together with love and a good talking to when we needed it. She was an army nurse, scrub nurse and active volunteer in the community. She raised my sister and I as a single mom from the time I was 9. She was widowed young and spent many years alone before she met David who made her the happiest she's ever been. My mom is one of the strongest people I have ever met. She will be missed."
Owen continued to tell the story of Evelyn's life and talk about special moments and memories, ones him and Megan had chosen together to share.
Megan took her turn, "it's hard to believe my mom is gone. As Owen said she was the glue that held our family together and she leaves a void in our family that will be impossible to fill. Mom was an incredible woman who loved deeply and was always there to support those around her. My mom is the person I admire most, her courage, strength and love. She was my sounding board, my advisor, my confidante. My mother was one of the most incredible people I know, she raised two kids alone and then watched us both go off to war. She knew the dangers and supported and encouraged us and our friends anyway. Her favourite thing on this planet was her family and seeing our family in the front row together that is her legacy. I've picked up my phone to call her every day this week and as soon as I touch her name I remember she's gone. The world doesn't feel right without my mom."
They finished the church service and gathered back at Megan's for a quiet dinner with some of the cousins Owen and Megan were close to.
Faroke got everyone's attention, "hey everyone. Since some of us wanted to say a few things and the church wasn't the right venue earlier we thought those of us who wanted to speak could make a toast now. Nana was an amazing woman she didn't care where you were born or how you were connected you walked into the house and you were family. She always had time to talk and to share her stories. I remember the first time I met Nana, she came into Mom's hospital room and just hugged me. She introduced herself as Nana and welcomed me to the family. We're really going to miss her. I wish my kids had the chance to get to know nana like I have to learn from her wisdom and strength."
Allison took her turn next, "Hi. I'm finding this really hard. I used to talk to Nana everyday. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't talk to her or text or send videos of my daughter. When I first told her I was having my daughter her only question was what colour yarn did I want her to use. Last night I tucked Everly into bed and she had wrapped her doll in the baby blanket Nana had made for her and was cuddling with her doll and the blanket. Nana poured so much love into the baby blankets and hats and sweaters. She loved seeing us and when we popped by after school with tea and a treat. She was always there to listen and to support and encourage and to give tough love when we needed it. Nana had a huge heart and I'm really going to miss her. Curling up on the couch with her and chatting or running to her when everything feels too much and unfair. Nana never judged, she was always there with love and a hug and to let you cry it out. I'm really going to miss Nana."
Leo spoke next, "Nana was a great person. As Allie said she never judged she was just there to love and support and kick your but if needed. She never questioned how we joined the family we were just hers. All that mattered to her is that we were here. I was going through some of my winter stuff and found the hat she knit me last Christmas, I wasn't going to take it with me but I think I will so I have a little piece of Nana with me. Nana is going to be very missed and I already miss her a lot."
Annie took a deep breath, "I remember the first time I met Nana. I was 19 and terrified, I hardly knew mama at this point and had only met Uncle Owen once before so asking me to go to Nana's for dinner was a stretch. But I came in and she hugged me and made me feel right at home. She never questioned where I came from, I was just family. During my last year of medical school I really got to know her, I lived with her for a month during my sub internship. Mama and Uncle Owen weren't together yet but Nana was excited to take in her son's best friend's daughter for a month, she made me feel at home. She was just loving, warm and accepting Nana. The moment you walked into her house you were family, it didn't matter how you were connected you just became hers. She had an incredible gift for making people feel loved and like they belong. Nana was an incredible person and is going to be dearly missed."
Catrina attempted next, choking on her tears, "I'm really going to miss Nana. She was always there and happy to see us."
Catrina couldn't continue she ran sobbing to Megan who wrapped her daughter in her arms soothing and calming.
Ellie shook her head, she wasn't ready, Faroke and Leo tried to encourage her but she didn't have the words. She was too upset to speak today. She wanted to hide.
"What if I go with you," Allison offered, "you wrote it all out I'll stand with you and you read it."
"No," Ellie whispered, "I can't. I can't, I'll puke."
"Okay," Allison agreed, "if you want to I'll go with you."
"I went to look for something in my bible last night and found the note for her and Opa last summer when I got baptised," Ellie said, "I heard her voice reading it."
"Then reread it," Allison said ,"I miss her two El. I tried to text her today. I pressed send before I remembered."
"She'll never meet my kids," Ellie said.
"I know," Allison said, "I'm sorry Ellie."
Catrina joined them on the porch steps and the three girls sat together crying and holding eachother.
"Mommy is crying," Everly told Asher.
"I know she's really sad," Asher said, "she's trying to be brave but it really hurts her heart. She loves Nana."
"My heart hurts," Everly agreed, "can you make it better?"
"We're going to have to miss Nana for a little while," Josh said joining them, "it's okay to miss her, it means you loved her."
"I love Nana," Everly said.
"I know you do princess," Asher replied.
"Go hug mommy," Everly commanded.
"Mommy needs a minute with Ellie and Cat," Asher replied, "we'll give her a hug when she comes back."
"Can I have a hug," Everly asked.
"You can," Asher agreed, picking her up.