Today we laid Aunt Deloras to rest. It was a hard day knowing she will no longer be "here," but at the same time it was a day of celebrating the 97 wonderful years she lived.

One of the beautiful bouquets from the Church. PINK was her favorite color.

 Uncle Tom, Grandma, Aunt Barbara

 My Cousin Nick and his wife Sarah

Aunt Patti and Uncle Tom

 My Fam w/Gram

 Where's Tim? Oh wait... he's hiding behind the flowers! ;)

 I stepped outside for a minute and a little boy wearing shorts and cowboy boots (in the background of this pic, what a hoot) was walking an adorable chubby puppy named Chester!

 Seriously, how could an adorable, chunky little puppy named Chester not brighten your day?!? :)

 I wonder if Aunt Deloras had a hand in this?

I think so.

I'm going to wrap up this blog entry with the poem I read at Aunt Deloras' funeral today.

You can shed tears that she is gone

or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back

or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she's gone

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

In Loving Memory of Deloras Coffin
Aug 5, 1913 - November 5, 2010