Well, it's been quite some time since I updated my blog, things have been crazy busy and Dan and I just returned home late Sunday night. We had been gone for a week, a very unexpected trip, for the death of my dad's brother, my Uncle Chuck Whittern. I am so thankful we were able to make it back for the services, though a sad time there were also some happy times. We brought our youngest Steven Coe with us, and he brought such life and joy. I am thankful for all the distant family members we were able to meet or reconnect with. Dan had never been back there so many of them had never had the chance to meet him in person.
Saying goodbye to someone you have loved is never an easy thing, necessary but not easy. I am thankful for my Uncles sake that all the suffering is over (he passed of Colon Cancer), and that he will be with our savior in heaven, rejoicing with the angels. For him, he is celebrating and for that I am thankful, thankful that he knew and loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For the family members he leaves behind I pray Peace and Comfort as we grieve the loss of a, husband, father, brother, son, Uncle, Grandpa, etc. We love you Uncle Chuck!
On a different note:
During all of that we were in the middle of Counter offers on our house. In fact the day of the viewing we got the call from our Realtor saying he had received the buyers counter. We didn't finish the conversation, since we had more important things on our minds at that time. Instead we called back the next night when things were slowing a bit. And...we ended up accepting his offer, so, we are set to close on this house December 29th,2010. The beginning of a new chapter, we don't know where we will end up yet, we have a couple possibilities that we need to follow up on. We do know we will be renting for a year or two while we wait to see what the economy and housing market do, and to save up more money. The Lords will be done.
The following are some pictures from our trip, some of the funeral services and some of happier times.
Conked out on the drive to San Fransisco
A happy Steven on the drive from Chicago to Michigan.
Preparing to put Uncle Chuck's body to rest.
Aunt Persenia, Grandma Whittern and Uncle Bill (Aunt Persenia's husband)
Putting the vault in the ground.
They apparently no longer do this as part of the ceremony, however, at my Grandmothers request it was done. It seemed to really help everyone have it finalized.
Relatives of my late Grandfather Kieth Whittern, on the right is his brother Paul Whittern, in the red is his youngest sister, Helen.
Visiting after the funeral, Dan talking to Brad? (Chuck's step daughter Ruth's husband). Brian Whittern (my brother), my mom talking to Grandpa Kieth's sister Martha, Cory talking to Dan Swab (my dad's cousin), and Steven Coe near the headstone.
After the services we went to my mom's sister's house (Aunt Kay and Uncle John Harding), so Grandma could rest after a long emotional day.
My mom (Phyllis Whittern, Cory Whittern (my youngest brother) and Dan (my husband).
Grandpa Whittern ( my dad) enjoyinig a moment with Steven Coe.
Steven Coe enjoying the toys at Aunt Kay's.
They guys, Dad, Cory and Dan.
The next morning at Grandma Whittern's.
Dan and Grandma Whittern.
Steven Coe loved this hammer and bench toy of his Great Grandma Whittern's.
One of my Grandfathers Hair seal skins which hangs on her basement wall. This was from their days in Unalaska as misionaries.
One of my Grandma Helen Whittern's many paintings which adorn her walls.
My dad (Coe Whittern), Steven Coe, Cory Whittern (my youngest brother) and Grandma Helen Whittern.
A happy Grandma, enjoying her time with her children, grandchildren and great grandson Steven Coe Salinger.
The four generations, My Dad (Coe Whittern) the 2nd, Grandma Helen Whittern the 1st, Myself (Sheilla Salinger) the 3rd and Steven Coe Salinger the 4th. Don't my dad and grandma look alike!
My brother Brian Whittern with Grandma Helen Whittern.
We all enjoyed getting our pictures taken with her, at 89 (90 on February 12), you never know when will be the last time we see her.
Our turn, Dan, Sheilla, Steven Coe Salinger and Grandma Helen Whittern.
Although this looks like a happy moment, for me it was a bit sad. Sad because there is someone missing, my Uncle Chuck.
My mom has a picture of the 4 of them, the last one taken, I would love to get a copy.
But from now on this is what remains of the family.
My beautiful and loving Aunt Persenia, Helen Whittern their mother, and my strong yet compassionate dad, Coe Whittern.
We were teasing Cory about using a walker!
Dan, myself and Steven Coe with Aunt Zita Durling (Sister in law of my Grandma Whittern's, she is the widow of Uncle Calvin Durling). We LOVE her, she is so spunky and full of life!
Great Aunt Zita with "her boys". My brothers, Brian and Cory stayed with Aunt Zita for 4 days and so she calls them her boys.
I though that was cute!
The huge house that Uncle Chuck had been working on for several years, the exterior is nearly buttoned up but no plumbing, wiring etc. Just bare studs inside. Kind of a sad thing that his dream will never be finished. There would've been a wing for Grandma and a wing for Chuck and Sheryl. It even included an elevator for Grandma to get down to the huge basement. Unfortunately it will sit like this for a while until Sheryl and Grandma can hopefully sell it, is my impression.
The guys were figuring out that including the basement, they figured it was something like over 5,500 square feet.
A picture taken from the same place as the above picture only in the direction of Chuck and Sheryl's house.
The day after the funeral we went down to the "New" house to help out with the hurricane clips. Trying to make it more secure for the winter. It was very, very cold that day! Glad we could help out though.
Cory preparing to hammer in another hurricane clip.
Brian watching Dan put in hurricane clips.
Brian's turn to put some clips on.
I love this picture of Steven, it's at what would've been my Grandma's living room window. Above him is where her stained glass windows she made of scenic Unalaska would've gone. In the background behind him is "Lake Helen".
This is the stained glass window scene that she made, it is currently in her "old" house where she still lives.
Dan and mom share a moment.
Steven Coe really enjoyed himself at the "new" house, he found shims to use as swords, peices of scrap foam, you name it he had fun with it. And he loved, getting dirty! A little boys heaven!
Later that night we were back at Aunt Kay and Uncle Johns again. This time my mom's cousins Al and Barb were visiting too.
My Cousin Kim's daughter, Tiffany, my mom and Barb.
My Cousin Kim and Al. We stayed with my cousin Kim and her daughter Tiffany while we were there. She is the daugher of my mom's sister Kay Harding.
Uncle Brian and Steven Coe, he took a liking to Uncle Brian immediately. He loved him!
Uncle John Harding and his oldest Granddaughter, Renee Foster (Kim's oldest daughter).
Steven wanted everyone to talk on the phone, this is Renee Foster with Steven Coe.
This was a very exciting moment, when the toys my Dad had played with as a child were found. The one he has belonged to he and his brother Charles. They first got it when they were about 6 and 8 he said, and played with them all during their childhood, and they were played with by Uncle Chuck's children also. He was so tickled to have it.
The one in front of the dark green one belonged to his little brother Quentin who died along with his Dad in a boating accident, Quentin was just 5. Aunt Persenia was closest to Quentin so his truck meant a lot to her, so she inherited Quentin's. It was a very special moment.
Dad and Cory.
Great Grandma Helen Whittern watching over her Great Grandchild, Steven Coe.
The yellow tractor on the left belonged to my cousin Keith Whittern when he was little.
I still have more pictures to post as I have time so check in again later.
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