Somehow, it got worse.

Now back to the negative column...

We made this trip to Illinois for John's Grandmother's burial. She passed away on July 14, 2008 at the age of 90. Fortunately, John was able to visit her out in Maryland a few years ago while on a business trip. His Aunt and Uncle, whom she had lived with for the better part of 14 years, held a funeral out in Maryland last week. Then, they brought her remains to Illinois so she could be buried next to her husband, whom died in 1969.

John's sister Becky and family are in Illinois, his sister Ruth and husband drove in from Iowa, as did his cousin and family. His cousin is a Methodist Minister, and presided over the service. It was beautiful and very touching. I learned more about his family, and this wonderful woman whom I didn't get the honor to meet. While there, I was also able to see his mom's grave, and read her headstone: Loving Mother and Teacher.

During the service, another unfortunate event took place. While we were seated at the grave, praying and mourning, someone opened John's cousin's car and took his wife's purse. Right there at the cemetery!! Although we were facing the road, trees and bushes blocked our view of their car, so no one saw or heard it happen. The police came, and she cancelled all her cards immediately. Luckily too, because they had already tried gassing up their car on her expense! She handled it much better than I would, and said, "it's just stuff." True, but still unfair.

Well, we had a lovely reception at Becky's home, sharing pictures and stories of Grandma. She was a beautiful woman, inside as much as out. She was said to have always prayed for her grandchildren, and that they might know the Lord.

While there is more to be said about the adventure to Illinois this past week, I'll end with this:

Before John's Grandma passed, she wrote a passage saying that on the day of her death, she will be met by her husband, two daughters and three sisters, and they will take her to meet her Maker. What a beautiful reunion!!