Day 924: A funeral and a graduation

Friends and family, the center of life.  They are there to celebrate the transitions,  moments of great joy,  the uniting of two families in marriage, holidays, graduations, new jobs, births and birthdays, just being together.  But they also hold us up in times of great sorrow, illness or death.  It was moving to witness two sets of families and friends join together today.

Bob's son Rob delivered a beautiful eulogy honoring his father.  He shared memories and lessons as he spoke about all Bob had taught him while growing up. His constant presence at every soccer match or baseball game, running through the sprinkler, playing with the dog, the trips they took together.  I wept through the whole thing.   Most of all his father taught him how to be an honorable and loving father and husband.  I loved Rob as a student and he has become a fine man in the mode of his dad.  His boss heard about his losses and told him to stay home for a month and help his mother.

Then Jessie.  Hers is an entirely different story.  There was no steady father or mother presence in her life.  She was raised mostly by her grandmother because her mother was in and out of jail.  So much trouble and grief in her early years, but everyone's joy was evident tonight.  She's accomplished so much, despite or maybe because of her experiences.   And she is a delight with incredible strength of character.

220 lengths. My arms are very tired.  We added eight new hostas to our collection after a visit with Ran and Katie at Eagle Bay Gardens.  Storms are coming, so we got the new hostas planted right away.  The redbud bed is nearly complete.

Not identified yet!