It was a long Tuesday.

Et and I left Abilene about ten after seven. We arrived in Seven Points just before eleven. We were waiting on a traffic light when we noticed a car pull up to the intersection from our left. It was Memama and Pepa with their faithful sidekick Kyle Patrick Henry! We pulled in behind them and went directly to the funeral home. The whole situation became very real, very quickly. Rene' had requested she be buried in her Police uniform, the coffin was draped with an American flag, her volunteer fire-fighter gear was folded at the foot of the casket,and numerous photos were spread around the room. Over three hundred people had attended the family visitation Monday night.

When we left the funeral home we went by Billie and Odis' home briefly before going on to the church where we enjoyed a tremendous meal prepared by the church members. The number of family attending the funeral began to grow at this time. (One thing about our family, put out food and they will come!). While past family reunions had been quite steady in attendance, the attendance for Rene's service was phenomenal. I would have been in the minority if I had not been there!

There were six of us cousins serving as pallbearers. Our job was simple, we escorted her coffin from the church to the back of a firetruck where we handed it off to four firefighters and two EMT's. It was then loaded onto the firetruck and an almost hour long trip to the graveside began. Rene' had requested the police department, the "several" area volunteer fire departments and the EMS, all serve as honorary pall bearers. These were departments Rene' was active in. One of the most touching things of the entire service was when the chaplains from the Dallas Fire Department Search and Rescue did the 5-5-5 code. It was a fitting ending. While it appeared her parents and her children, Laci and Nathan, appear to be handling things well, I still worry and am concerned for them, especially Laci and Nathan. They are very young to have lost their Mom.

It was late when we got home. Et and I had a very good visit up and back. In fact he wanted to stop somewhere for a meal where we could sit and visit. There is a lot going on in his and Tj's world. Tj is pretty lucky, she couldn't have done any better than Et. One we pulled in the driveway, Et immediately loaded up his things in his vehicle, quickly came in to tell Krl 'bye and he hit the road. He still had almost two hundred-fifty miles to go and he needed to be back at work today.

FATHER, thank YOU for the safe day, the safe travel. FATHER, thank YOU for the life of Rene' which was evidenced by the large number of mourners. It was very evident she along with her family are very respected in their community. FATHER I ask YOUR blessings and comfort for those who will feel a void left by her passing. FATHER, I continue to lift up those needing YOUR gift of healing. Hag, B., Lillie, Carol, Michelle, Aimee, Jennifer, Ashlyn Kate and those continuing to recover from their injuries. I ask YOUR blessings on them. I pray for those of us with spiritual needs and I ask that YOU will fill these needs. I pray for those who are hurting from loss, I ask YOUR comfort for them. I pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. I can only imagine as I look upon YOUR face...................... .