A Celebration of Life

"Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day."

It was finally the day for the "Celebration of Life" Sharyn and Jill had been planning since Ed left us to on a sailing ship to find a tranquil shore. On that shore waiting were Virginia, his parents Edwin and Rosita, Vivian, Don, Jeff and so many of the people he loved and graced with his love, humor and so many smiles.

The Takach Ranch was the perfect place to celebrate with ample parking...

... and a beautiful spacious home so beautifully decorated and arranged by Jill & George with help from Sharyn and Jill's friend Julie.

I didn't take a lot of pictures at the house because there were so many people to meet. Some I'd met before and others I finally met after years of stories about their lives and place in Ed's family of friends and relatives.

We left the ranch to have a small service and interment. Keith and Bart talked a bit while we all gathered.


Louise, George, Jill and Greg stopped to visit the site where Ed and Virginia would be together again.


Steven, like his dad, took some pictures to recall the day we all celebrated together and remembered a life well lived.


Greg also visited with Monica and in true gentleman fashion helped shade her from the hot sun.


It was great to see Martha, my sweet Daughter-in-law, with the most beautiful grandchildren a man could wish for; thank you Steven.



Bart began the service with some truly inspired words...


... followed by others including Matt and Isaac (shown here) and even Steven. I was so proud of my boys for their heartfelt words.

As the urn was lowered I saw Steven comforting Sharyn and my heart was touched...


... to see my eldest son as the fine man he had grown to be.


Family means so much on the days we feel the most vulnerable and are the clouds we ride on over mountains of fire. Thank you Nicole for being here with Isaac.

Ed was a good father to his daughters Sharyn and Jill and worked hard to give them and Virginia a very good life filled with golf, fishing, indelible home movies, nights out at nice restaurants, beautiful homes and we all later benefited in so many ways from the grace he passed on to them.

It's said God works in mysterious ways and it's equally true Ed worked in the humorous and touching ways. Rest in Peace "Big Ed," "Super-Putter," "GD", "Eddie B." and for Sharyn and Jill just plain "Daddy."

Then we all said good-bye and a silent prayer.


I was very touched by our family - with Jesse standing with George...


... Keith and all the others who were so kind and gentle to Sharyn and ...


... Jill on this special day.


We will miss your smile Greg, come visit again when you can.


I didn't miss two more flowers one open and bright ...


... and one closed and faded. And then I remembered this quote:

"Weeping willow with your tears running down, why do you always weep and frown? Is it because he left you one day? Is it because he could not stay? On your branches he would swing. Do you long for the happiness that day would bring? He found shelter in your shade. You thought his laughter would never fade. Weeping Willow, stop your tears, for there is something to calm your fears. You think death has ripped you forever apart, but I know he'll always be in your heart."

Keith later showed that family traditions go on even when ...

... we are in transition when he reminded me of a story Sharyn often tells about Ed visiting Ferris, Texas. Alf needed a cow loaded in a trailer. Ed being a city boy offered to help. Alf told Ed he would guide the cow by the head and all Ed had to do was twist the tail.

Then Keith found out cows were too large to mess with when you are a greenhorn.


We stayed up after dark telling family stories and trading news about our lives while Steven took a few more pictures.


Then poof! Everyone was gone! Back to their lives a bit more in touch with their roots.

Thank you Sharyn, Jill, George, Julie, Cindy, Vicky, Andy and everyone who came and were part of "The Celebration of Ed's Life"

Quote of the Day ~

"Words were never invented to fully explain the peaceful aura that surrounds us when we are in communion with minds of the same thoughts. ~ Eddie Myers