A Nashville Family Thanksgiving and Celebration

As you all know from my previous posts, my precious Aunt Mamie went to be with Jesus on Wednesday night at 10:15, 24 November. It was 3 years to the day that her granddaughter and my cousin Shannon got married. I was a very pregnant bridesmaid and my Aunt Mamie did the flowers and planning. It was over the top beautiful. And I can honestly say, Mamie hadn't ever looked more radient. She was glowing. Little did we know that exactly three years later, we'd say goodbye to her.

Her service Saturday was a celebration. We had family who had driven 2.5 days to be with us from California; people from all walks of life gathered to pay tribute to an extraordinary woman of God.

We had the service at Belmont Church in Nashville, just off of Music Row. She and Bob had been integral in the founding of that church back in the '80s. Don Finto and Steve Fry presided over it, her grandchildren, Shannon and Will, and her best friend, Jeananne, eulogized her and lifelong family friends Amy Grant Gill and Vince Gill sang. Amy sang hymns and Vince sang "Give me Jesus."

We wept while watching her slide show but rejoiced for we know where she is now and she is no longer suffering.

Following the service, we had a "party" at Amy and Vince's barn on Leigh Ann (Mamie's daughter, my cousin) and Mike's farm (they have two barns there. The one we had the party at was where Shannon's reception/party had been just three years before). We had a bonfire, lots of food and stood around space heaters. There was laughter and there were tears - Mamie would have loved being there with all of the people she loved most in her life.

Here are some pictures.