Not your typical Halloween weekend.

This was not our typical Halloween weekend.

We had pumpkins purchased, but they never got carved.

We had costumes purchased, but they never got finished.

We had candy purchased, but it was never given to trick-or-treaters.

We had parties planned, but they were never attended.

Raymond Arthur Adams (Greg's Father) passed away after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, October 27th around 6:00am. We had the honor of spending the rest of the weekend surrounded by friends and family celebrating his life.

It was emotionally and physically exhausting, but we were all comforted and uplifted by the Spirit of peace. We know that families will be together forever and this death is but a short separation.

We worked together to plan the entire funeral and burial details in three days. WOW. I had no idea there was so much involved. I kept telling people that it was like planning a wedding (which generally takes 6 months-1 year) in three days. I spent a lot of time scanning old pictures into a digital format for enlargements and a video to capture Ray's life. Thank goodness for so many generous friends and family that lent their helping hands to the cause. We never had to worry about food, because there were always new meals brought into Linda's home. Ray and Linda have served so many people through the years and it was very evident when so many wanted to give back in small and simple ways.

I did not get many pictures, so a second post may come around sometime with additional snapshots from other's cameras.

Below is a picture of the display table that was set-up for the viewing and funeral to capture some elements of Ray's life. He loved all things mechanic - big trucks, sand rails, race cars, quads, etc...

We have had so many tender mercies through his death for which we are grateful.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer (never smoked a day in his life) almost 5 years ago - and the doctor's initially told him he would only live 1-2 years. He fought hard and we had him around 3 years longer than expected.

He died relatively quickly and with little pain - which is not always the case with cancer. He never became completely confined to his bed or unconscious.

Only three days before he passed away, we enjoyed a steak dinner from "Outback" take-out style in their kitchen. Ray and Linda always treat their pregnant children to a steak dinner to celebrate the upcoming baby arrival. Ray sat with us at the table and although he knew he couldn't eat a steak, he ordered one anyway, just because.

For the last 10 weeks I have taught an evening class at South Mountain Community College on Tuesday evenings. And for the last 10 weeks, Greg has taken Emma over to his parents home to visit while I teach. Last Tuesday (October 26) was my last class and last Tuesday Greg and Emma went over for their visit. Ray died the following morning. What a blessing that they enjoyed special time together for the last 10 weeks of his life, and most especially that they were able to see him the night before he passed away.

When Greg and Emma went to leave on Tuesday evening, Ray was asleep. Not wanting to wake him up, Greg told his Mom that they would sneak out. Stubborn Miss Emma looked up at her Daddy and said, "I can not leave until I give Grandpa Ray a kiss and hug". So she promptly jumped up onto his bed, which woke him up, and then gave him a kiss and hug goodbye. Ray was appreciative that she did so and lovingly gave her a kiss and hug in return. Greg was then able to also say goodbye to his Dad for the last time in mortality. Although Emma's insistent personality is bothersome at times, Greg will forever be grateful that she pushed her agenda that Tuesday evening.

Of course the greatest tender mercy is the peace that we have felt through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been our constant companion. Prayers have been felt as we have been lifted up and blessed tremendously.

The viewing was Friday evening and so many people came to pay their respects. The funeral was Saturday morning and the church was packed through the entire cultural hall with hundreds.

Below is a picture of the funeral luncheon that Linda's ward generously hosted. I would say there were easily 100+ people in attendance and the food was remarkable.

The four sons comprised the funeral program and they did an outstanding job. Jamie gave the life sketch, Greg and Kurt shared short memories, and Jeff talked about Ray and his beliefs in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They each did such an incredibly accurate job of describing Ray as a man, with all of his various attributes. The four boys also sang, "Nearer My God To Thee" and Jamie and Greg each sang separate solos. Amazingly, Jamie and Greg each sang their solos without breaking down once. It was a really beautiful service.

Even had you never known Ray, you could tell that he was a wonderful man by his four boys.

At the luncheon, Jamie told a great story about his Dad requesting a "nice hat" from a car race to be held in Singapore while Jamie was visiting on a business trip. Jamie attended the car race and purchased a hat for Ray and for Kurt and Jeff (who also love car racing). He never got to deliver the hat to Ray in person because he lives in Texas, but he passed along the hats to his brothers and gave Greg the hat that was intended for Ray.

Here is Greg with his Dad's hat and little Missy.

Emma loved her Grandpa Ray and he loved her so much. It breaks my heart to think that she will have to grow up without him. The boys all said through the funeral, that Ray was a great Dad, but an even better Grandpa. He definitely kept Emma smiling and happy. She will miss him and so will we.

Although Saturday was exceptionally long and exceptionally tiring, we decided that the kids needed a little bit of "Halloween Fun". We threw on Emma's giraffe costume. Greg and I were supposed to be trees that she could eat. I was intending to sew the leaves all along our green shirts, but that never happened. So, Greg threw on on a green shirt and just wrapped the leaves around his neck. Emma was pleased as punch. I just went as the picture taker. No costume this year for me.

Here is Emma the giraffe with Greg's grandparents, which was the only home to which we trick-or-treated. Luckily, Emma is still so young, she never knew the difference. We also went to a Halloween Haunted House that Linda's friend invited us to.

Emma with Isaac/Blue (Jamie's little boy). Must be cousins, huh?

It was not our typical Halloween weekend.

But we truly enjoyed being together as a family to mourn, and celebrate the legacy that Ray has left behind.