An Easter to Remember...

This last Easter definitely was close to the heart. As mentioned in a previous post, Grandpa Johnson (On Keven's side) passed away the Wednesday before Easter. Keven and I flew out to Austin, Texas Thursday morning to be with family. It was definitely a bitter sweet moment for all of us. We were so excited to see the family but so sadden for the loss of a great man, grandpa, father, and husband. That Thursday and Friday the family was getting the funeral arrangements done. Friday night was the viewing of our Grandfather. I have never been to a viewing before, at least that I can remember. It was a moment to express our grief and sorrow, but just looking at him, a sense of peace and serenity came to me. Our Grandfather was home. He was with his family that had passed previously. He was with the Only Begotten. He was so peaceful and in that, I hope we can all find peace. I saw for the first time the above picture of my love with his Grandpa. I love the admiration Keven has while looking at his Grandpa shave. Keven was around 3 years old in this picture.

Here is a picture of some of his children and two of his grandchildren at the viewing Friday night.

Saturday, we met at the church and had a viewing an hour before. We then had the funeral service and I was so blown away by the people that came to show their respects. Keven and Bryan spoke about their Grandfather and the memories and attributes they have of him. It was so beautiful. After the funeral we came to the cemetary for the burial. Something that really made me think of the hard worker and the kind of boss Grandpa Johnson was. He had his own roofing company and all of his employees were there. They were so humble and I was grateful I was able to see the impact that He had in their lives.

Uncle Mickey, Bryan, me, Keven, Aunt Pamy, Uncle Cooper and Uncle Joe.

Afterwards, we all came back to the hotel and had pizza. We then watched a video of memories of Grandpa Johnson. There was a part in the movie that Grandpa Johnson was laughing so hard that he was crying. Here Todd is doing a part in the video that Grandpa Johnson was laughing at. We thought it was hilarious! Thanks Todd! :)Easter Sunday was so special. We learned about the resurrection of our Savior. It is through Him that we are able to see our loved ones again. It is because of our Savior that we can find peace in knowing that if we are faithful and endure to the end, we will reunite. After sacrament meeting, we went to the cemetary to visit Grandpa. It was such a beautiful day and the flowers were beautiful! Mimi wanted to include Grandpa in the Easter egg hunt. We put easter eggs around his grave site and the kids hunted for them. They left one easter egg with Grandpa. It was so sweet. We are sure that he was laughing and having a good time.
Here is the temporary headstone. He was actually born in 1936 though. Do you see the little Tucan easter egg?!

There was another great thing that Mimi wanted to do...She wanted to have a "Tie Party." So basically we had a tie draft. Trevor was the 1st seed since he is on his mission and then we drew names for the next picks. It was really fun! Grandpa Johnson had about 50 ties so we all got to pick some. Then we sprayed his cologne on it that he has worn since Carla (Keven's mom) was a little one.

Here's Keven's first tie...

I've been trying to look for the right quote from the 2002 film of Charly, but I couldn't find it. So I will just have to summarize what Sam talks about. Charly just passed and he is heartbroken. He then starts to understand what the atonement is about. He starts to talk about the story of Lazarus. Jesus told Martha (one of Lazarus sister's), "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." Martha and Jesus then went to Mary who was grieving with strong emotion of her brother's death. The Jews with her were also weeping and mourning. Deeply moved by their grief, Jesus wept with them. That's the part that gets me. Jesus knew that he was about to perform a miracle and raise Lazarus from the dead, yet he still wept. The perfect, all knowing, Savior wept because he was moved by their grief. I am grateful to know that through Jesus Christ we can and will live again. I know that although we are grieving now because of the death of our Grandfather, Father, Husband and Friend that we can find hope and peace through Christ.