Starting 2013 by Remembering

by Ben

01.01.2013 - 01.01.2013 10 °C
View Koning/Zemliak Family Europe 2012/2013 on KZFamily's travel map.

As you read a week ago, Muriel's Dad passed away suddenly on the evening of December 23rd. As you may recall only Muriel made it home and the rest of us stayed in Europe due to logistics. Yesterday, December 31st, was the funeral. Since we are nine hours ahead these events occurred late in our day and I decided to preserve the 31st in Europe for observing Abby's Birthday and marking the change of years. We would mark Dad's funeral in our own way on January 1st.

This morning I talked to Muriel who was just ending her long day and the events surrounding putting Dad to rest. It was good to talk to her although it felt very strange to be apart at a time such as this. I found that during our sleep Marianne had sent me a link to 80 pictures and some video footage from the funeral. These pictures really helped us feel part of remembering Dad. We spent a long time looking through the pictures. We then read the wonderful eulogy Muriel had written. It was really good to hear the words. Hannah had also written something for the funeral and our friend Marianne had read it on Hannah's behalf. Calvin had made a video clip of this and Hannah said she wanted us to hear her words in the same way everyone else had--through Marianne's voice. It was a wonderful love letter about her Grandpa--it is a piece of writing that I will always admire her for.

We spent some more time looking at old photographs of Grandpa that I happen to have stored on my computer and then just shared memories about him, especially his quirks of taking everything to an extreme.

It is a cold, gray and rainy day today and we are going to stay indoors. The weather news is that the sun will return in all its splendor tomorrow. It all seems quite appropriate--tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning.

Posted by KZFamily 08:06 Archived in France Tagged new_year cavaillon grandpa

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Comments

Thanks for posting such wonderful, insightful and heartfelt entries. We appreciate reading about your adventure, and about your hearts.
We were blessed by the service yesterday and are glad to hear that you could see photos and videos so that you can have a sense of the day. Our thoughts and prayers continue for you and the girls far away and Muriel as she takes care of family over here.

by KathyHarv

22:30 pst 02/01/13
Time marches on and it is good to remember the past and travel the future, all things heal.
We managed to stay awake and see the New Year in though our supper companions left early.
That was a lovely post by Abby and you all certainly find a way to celebrate birthdays with much thought and preparation.
I saw her comment about naming her red laptop (him) and searched the internet to see what others have done and if done it seems to be a reflections of ones interest.
Who am I to offer when her own Dad and family must have lots of ideaa.
My I suggest 'Rolf' for one of her interests being Mr Rolf Harris.Here is a recent Cunard Liner Blog link I received when he was a guest onboard last year.
http://wearecunard.com/2012/12/can-you-see-what-it-is-yet-2/

Cheers

by RobBar

Thank you all for so graciously sharing your entire journey. It is privilege to see it from these perspectives and brings home again the value of family, friends and community, especially in times like these. We are blessed by that..

by Gordon

Dear Family,

It's been a while, and only just now did I realize (when going back to the index), why Muriel was away. Needless to say, I was overcome with deep sadness, about the news of Muriel's Dad's passing. Please accept my deepest wishes of sympathy and forgive me, that I did not find out sooner.

I have neglected my "work" on the computer, mainly due to a small accident at school (before Christmas). Got hit by a tether ball, which gave me a bit of a shake. I do have a hard head, and in time will be my usual self, so no worries.

Today I have actually taken the time to enjoy all of your last posts, and many of my own happy memories of my visits to Italy (with my folks) have come back! Thank you, for sharing with us some of your very special times and adventures. I sure appreciate being able to be a little part of your Grand Tour!

Now you have probably safely landed in Sicily, a more quiet place where you may all find some extra peace and comfort, during this time of loss.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Edith

by Edith Roslee

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