A celebration of life

I attended a very unique funeral yesterday. It was not the usual funeral. There was grief and there was mourning. But moreover, there was a celebration of life. Rob was a very down to earth person. He loved hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and most importantly his family. He and his wife had discussed the funeral in great detail and they had very specific ideas about how they wanted everything. The viewing room contained many side tables. Each table was covered with either picture frames or picture albums of Rob’s life. Through each and every photo, his love of his family and his country showed through. From his days in the Boy Scouts through his time in the service, from his days as a newlywed through his days as a father and grandfather, each picture, each moment is filled with his love for life. There was a viewing room sit up that had a TV which played non-stop video of pictures of him with his family. The music selected were country songs that meant something to him and his wife, such as Garth Brooks and The Dance. When it came time for the funeral, the initial song was a love song “I’ll Keep on Loving You” by Reba McEntire that his wife had played to honor the memory of their life together. That was followed by Brad Paisley singing The Old Rugged Cross. The preacher spoke a few words then his oldest son did the eulogy. It was a wonderful tribute to his father and the man he was. It gave you a great feeling of love that runs deep throughout the family. Then Rob’s best friend since his teens spoke. The preacher closed with a few more words and Amazing Grace with bagpipes was played. Though I walked away with tear-filled eyes and a deep grief in my heart for the loss of a very special brother-in-law but with the wonderful feeling of knowing he had spent every minute of those 49 short years loving his family and leaving them a living legacy of the type of person they wanted to be.

A piece of history....

Last night I was rummaging through some family albums and keepsake boxes we inherited from Allen's Papaw Keefer. It is amazing what you can learn about ancestors by doing that. For example, I found that Papaw Keefer was called to military duty in 1944 and was denied acceptance as being physically unfit. I would love to learn more as to why because the man was the picture of health and lived to be 89 years old. He was never sick a day in his life until the last 3 days. I found copies of sugar rations from the depression; copies of his first paycheck from a furniture store. I found his dry goods statement from the general store. Granny had purchased a bolt of dress material for $3.00 FOR THE WHOLE BOLT. Papaw had purchased new shoes for 25 cents. I found a list someone had written on first grade style paper. I'm guessing it was granny as it was in her album. She had written that she had $3.60 and if mom gave her $1.40 she would have $5.00. Then she listed family members and how much she would spend on them. I had to laugh. Everybody was around 80 cents or 90 cents each. But, dear old Mom, who she was going to hit up for $1.40 was listed at 25 cents for her gift. Does that crack you up or what?

In loving memory

Robert Glenn Keefer

1960-2010

Rob's family (l-r) Christopher (son), Rob, Sarah (daughter) Ben (son), Tami (wife) Robert (son)

Memories Build a Special Bridge

Our memories build a special bridge when loved ones have to part

To help us feel we're with them still and sooth a grieving heart.

Our memories span the years we shared, preserving ties that bind,

They build a special bridge of love and bring us peace of mind.

By Emily Matthews

Rob, you will never know how much you are missed. We love you. Rest in peace.

Cat Confidence

I woke up in the middle of the night with thoughts on my mind. I hate when that happens. I was thinking about the many things I have to do this upcoming week, the challenges I was facing. Then the fears set in. Can I get everything done? Will things work out the way I want them? Out of nowhere came the thought, "I need some cat confidence." It got me to thinking. A cat is probably the best example of confidence you will ever see. They will jump great heights, showing no fear, because they know they will land on their feet. They will hop up on your lap to enjoy a long nap because they know you will never shoo them off. They know they will get their way. They are spoiled, loved, and content. Confident in everything they do. My prayer today is for God to provide in me a confidence that will override the self-doubts and insecurities that I bring upon myself. My bible verse for today is: Isaiah 30:15a - For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

Some alarming news....

I'm not sure how it happened or when it happened. But I just realized I'm getting older. (You notice I refuse to say OLD). I've notice the creeks and groans, the pops and crackles as I bend and move. I can't get up and down in the floor with as much ease as I did in my 20's. I can't stay up real late like I did in my teens. I remember when I went to bi-focals, I was able to say that it was okay; it was understandable. I did a lot of close up work and the bi-focals were just a precaution to protect my eyes from any strain. Then a few years back, they switched me to tri-focals. Again, I was cool with it. I worked on computers for a living; I read a lot for leisure. So it made sense to have a level for distance, a level for close up work and a middle level for normal day-to-day eye use. But when I had to go purchase a pair of reading glasses yesterday to give me a FOURTH level of viewing for reading my emails on my new phone, I realized that age has a way of sneaking up on us when we are not looking. So I popped over to Wally World and purchased me another set of eyes. I did not realize that reading glasses came in such cute frames. That is the one cool thing about them.....I can get something really fun and wild since they are not on my face all the time. The problem was there were TOO MANY to choose from. I mean, it doesn't take me that long to pick out a new car. I tried on just about every pair they had, some of them 2 and 3 times, finally choosing some I thought I loved. Then after getting them home and really checking them out, I decided I wished I had went with another style. So I had kept my receipt and I'm heading back to a different Wally World today. If they have some I like better, I'll probably exchange them. Oh lands, I'm turning into a little old lady.

Do you look back or look forward?

I find that many people spend their lives looking back on the way things used to be, the things they wished they had done. Some people like to look forward. They like to plan every moment of every day and know what is in store. They do not like surprises or spontaneity. They want to be prepared for everything. I am one of those live life in the moment people. I'm not saying I don't have plans and dreams for the days ahead. And I love when I know we have something going on that I can look forward to. But I don't get so wrapped up in the future that I forget to live for today. I think we should always grab the gold ring on the carousel, eat the cotton candy at the fair and bask in the sun on a summer day. Don't let gray clouds or doubt get you down. My favorite quote is one that I would love to have put on my headstone: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO-HOO what a ride!”

It's official...

Well, it's official. Shelby is going to be a lot like her brother. The sweet, little princess was playing the other day and she jumped up to run out of the room. When her grandmother asked, "Where are you going?" She turned at the door and said "On a fire call." Now, I ask you is she a Hayes or what? But not to worry, she is not getting tomboyish. She still has her princess moments. Her mommy brought her some new t-shirts at Disney. Each one has a different princess on it. Her mommy spread them out and asked "Shelby, who is your favorite princess?" Without missing a beat, she placed her hand on her chest and said "ME!"