A Life Well Lived

First of all I want to thank all of you for your prayers and loving thoughts.  I will say that I can really feel the power of the positive thoughts and prayers because otherwise I don't think I would have been able to cope as well as I have been.  There were many times where I felt like my heart was going to explode from the pain and anguish.  At that moment it truly felt like someone enclosed me in their arms and held me until the sorrow passed. 

Saturday March 18, 2017 I had a Celebration of Life open house here at the farm.  Many friends stopped by to say goodbye, and share some lovely funny stories.  My brother flew in on the red eye that morning from Oregon.

My parents had arrived the day after the accident, I wish they all could have been her under better circumstances.

I will admit I was afraid that no one would show up since Jeff's family is having a large memorial in town.  I was thankful when Kris from Kris Loves Fabric arrived, and  I was pleasantly surprised at all of the people who came.  I know we had well over 50 people come.

Jeff wasn't one to take pictures often.  I managed to scrounge up enough pictures to make a memory board.  I titled it A Life Well Lived.  On the board were pictures which I got from the AA when he was little, a few pictures of the daughters, and a picture of him with  the grand kids.

You can see I had the table set with some of his small John Deere tractors.

My ex husband and his wife sent me this gorgeous basket. 

My parents bought this lovely arrangement it is full of yellow flowers.  Jeff being a John Deere kind of guy always wanted green and yellow.

This is the basket of flowers that I ordered.  I thought it was perfect with the yellow roses and greenery, and green gingham bow. 

I also received an arrangement from Kate and Dustin my oldest daughter, and Kate's mother in law sent a lovely plant also.

I had the flowers on a table with a basket for cards, a guest book, memorial folders, and more tractors, and the wedding cake topper Jeff had chosen when we got married. 

The prayer inside his memorial folder:

Native American Prayer

I give you this one thought to keep-

I am with you still- I do not sleep, 

I am a thousand winds that blow, 

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle Autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight, 

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

I will say that I think that Jeff was a great example of a Life Well Lived and all of his friends and the family that showed to share, were proof.