We met so many kind, warm people this weekend that my head is still spinning with it all. Our Sunday and Monday were spent over at Lake Roosevelt attending our family friend, Jerry Vaughan’s memorial. If you can judge anything by turnout at these occasions then clearly Jerry was a friend to all.
The service attendance wasn’t just “standing room only” it was stand around the sides of the room, fill the choir pews and send a big chunk of attendees downstairs to watch by video from there! In other words, the place was packed! The minister conducted a light yet respectful service that I think most people there felt hit the tone of Jerry’s life well. And Jerry’s wife, Dale, and some family members and friends put together an absolutely wonderful slide show. The pictures were great and the way the show came together was clever with it changing from full screen pictures to sort of turning the page into a photo book. You add some good Jimmy Buffet music (Jerry it turns out was a major sailor!) and a couple of killer pictures at the end and there just wasn’t very many dry eyes in the place. He deserved that.
That afternoon the get-together moved to Lori and Darryl’s — my sister and brother-in-law — place on the lake and what a lovely party it was! Jerry would have loved every minute of it and every person there. There were family members, neighbors, old friends, new friends, co-workers, and people who had grown up with him. I knew hardly anyone there but I met some really lovely people.
Lori and Darryl in their typical generous style were such gracious hosts and worked hard to put together a day that honored their friend well. As their sister/sister in law, I was so proud of them. Dale and her family were strong and courageous and appreciative of all who turned out. And holy smokes, don’t even get me started on the amount of food we had! Those Creston/Lincoln/Lake Roosevelt people know how to support each other! I think everyone who came through the doors had another salad or potluck dish in their hands and every single one of them was tempting.
The toughest days are still ahead I fear, for Dale and her family, but they will work together to take each new day and decision as they come. I met so many people that love Jerry and Dale that I know she will have many people helping her to transition into this new, unexpected part of her life.
It was a day of sorrow and tears; joy and laughter. Ultimately though, I’m really glad we found room in our lives to be part of this special time, honoring this special person with all of the special people in his life. Here’s a glimpse of the day:
