Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad!

Brought the flowers this time in a vase, because I bought them at Costco yesterday and put them in the vase overnight. I just brought the entire vase and poured the water into the cemetery's flower holder. Trimmed the stems and added the preservative to the water. The cemetery goes through on Fridays and disposes of the dead flowers.











Beautiful red tulips for Christmas. I was looking for something red and white, but the tulips worked. They began opening overnight.

November visits

Two visits in November. I'm sure I visited in August and October too, but I've made it a habit or tradition to take a picture of the flowers I take to them ... and I take flowers nearly every time. I don't have pictures for any August or October visits.

It's really only been summer and fall - well, okay now winter. I've been trying to get flowers that reflect the season - ombres for the fall, red for Christmas (which you'll see in the next post).









Nov. 4

Mom and Dad's niche, the "penthouse", with a lovely view of North Island N.A.S. and the San Diego skyline.












Thanksgiving Day

Visiting in September

I made the drive alone to the cemetery. Planned to make the visit early. The cemetery is on military property and there are military guards and a manned gate that closes the road until 9:00 a.m. So I had to wait in a parking area until the road was opened.

The engraved marble slab has arrived and been placed.

Laying them to rest ...

Dad's urn on the left with the flag leaning against it, Mom's urn on the right.


Mom bought Dad's in 1990 through a mortuary, I believe, and I found Mom's on the Internet this year. They're almost an exact match ... with minor differences!










My "big" brother Ivan and I with the parents prior to the commitment/interment ceremony.












The parents' remains were in the cemetery office, where we all met, and then a representative led us in a motorcade to the commitment shelter. Spontaneously, I asked if I could carry the urns to the podium. It was a very poignant, special moment as I had an urn cradled in each arm. Ivan's Am Vet Honor Guard came from Orange County to give the military honors.














The flag portion of the ceremony, Hal in the photo to the left. In the photo to the right, my daughter Marta and my husband Michael looking on.

After the ceremony, we the relatives proceeded to the niche site for a final farewell. I wanted to go with my parents just as far as I could go.


(Below: Again, Dad on the left, Mom on the right.)





























Mom is placed in niche first while Dad's urn is resting on the ladder.

Below, Dad is placed.
















And the granite slab is replaced with decorative screws.

Final days

Proud of her flowers from her sister



With the granddaughter, daughter and great granddaughter with sparklers on 4th of July


Enjoying the fireworks,
July 4, 2007


Mom fell asleep while reading,
July 7, 2007

Sandi and her Gospel Comfort colleague singing gospel songs while Mom sleeps, July 8, 2007