The trip to say farewell ~Aug. 9-10th

Sad news arrived on August 3rd that my grandmother, Greta Johnson, had passed away at the age of 97, after living with dementia for the last several years. We were all relieved that she was no longer suffering, and thankful for the presence and impact she had had on our lives despite living far apart.

 Our second-to-last visit in July 2010.

 Grandma went to China years before we did.
She was thrilled to meet Nora in Dec. 2010, at age 92.

It took awhile to get our act together but shifts were soon cancelled, hotel reservations made, and it was decided that I would go on a road trip to Saskatchewan with my parents and brother Rob. It was immediately a flashback experience to our childhood, to which we all transitioned to pretty easily. (Although now it was easier to do some personality analysis and see where some of those traits came from...) We enjoyed Dad's stories but were concerned when Rob also told stories while driving yet insisted on eye contact while doing so. He soon had two backseat drivers. :) Such a personable guy...

 Taking the view in at Mt. Robson

This was Dad's first roadtrip since his accident last February. He did very well even though it was exhausting to be sitting for so long. Eventually he sat in the backseat with his left leg extended through the centre aisle of their van. It was so enjoyable to spend time together. Not so much sharing a room together at the hotel in Stony Plain. I slept poorly with all the snoring going on. :) 

 Had a DQ lunch in Vegreville. All familiar stops from childhood travels.

 I took over driving here and was in trouble for speeding from 3/3 other passengers.

 Approaching North Battleford. Almost "Home".

The family was gathered at our Grandparents' former church, enjoying a spaghetti dinner. It was lovely to see cousins, Aunts and Uncles. As a group we then walked several blocks to the funeral home for a viewing. A parade was about to begin so people were sitting along the sidewalks. Kind of sweet that Grandma had her own parade. :)

 With Jen from Minnesota.

 Tirzah, Izzy, Dad and Lucy. (All children gravitate to him...)

 Ann found her own way from Winnipeg with our Uncle's family
from Minnesota, making their drive very entertaining. ;)

 Darren, Rob, Teresa & Corinne.

 With Rob, Corinne, Lucy, Jen, Teresa & Darren.

 Jayme & Karla, another American cousin from California.

 Genevieve & Nava

 Will, Cheryl, Matt & Jillian

 Colin, Shira & Hannah

 Wayne, Matt, Jillian & Jen

 Jayme, Laura & Julie

 Terra, Trinity & Darcia

 Alex, Trevan & Elisa

 Ann, Rob, Melvin & Trudy

 Christopher

 Dad & Marjorie

And the parade carried on as we returned to the church to visit; all seemed bittersweet. So happy to be together with our extended family but missing Grandma already.