Saying Goodbye...Again

This picture has become far too common in our family this year:

Since February Nate has served as a pallbearer for three of his grandparents.

These pictures were actually taken in February at Grandma Boyce's funeral.

I just never got around to writing about it.

Grandpa Boyce watched Alzheimer's disease gradually erode Grandma until she was just a shadow of her former self.  Once she died, he just wanted to be reunited with her, the true her, without all of the physical maladies.  I can't help but wonder if he's thinking about that in this picture.

It actually didn't take him long to join her.  He kind of lost his will and desire to live once she was gone and passed away on July 28th.

So, all of the family gathered again to celebrate Grandpa.

My memories of this sweet couple go back to childhood because they were in my ward growing up.  Nate and I took piano lessons from the same teacher as kids, and Grandpa and Grandma were always at recitals.  Way back in the fall of 2004 Grandma Boyce approached me at church and asked if I would be willing to go on a date with her single, attractive grandson.  I said yes, and Nate took me on our first date during the Thanksgiving holiday.  It took another two years for a second first date, but that's a story for a different day.  I will be forever grateful for her boldness and consideration that I seemed to be an equal match for her grandson who she dearly loved.

We've declared a moratorium on funerals for grandparents, so we're expecting Gram and Grandma Pebley to stay active and strong for quite some time.  They're all we've got left, and we'd like to continue building great memories for a LONG time. :-)