A final post about Susan's journey with Cancer, which ended with her last breath on December 28, 2021 at 11:15 am in our home.  

A series of events was held at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis on December 30, and 31. 

We have often talked for years of the duo importance of the Funeral Eucharist, and the social gathering time.  The later is when we gather as friends and relatives over our common connection - Susan.  We can grieve together, laugh together, celebrate our time with her together, celebrate her gifts together.  This one is all about her!  She often quipped "I think tacos and margaritas are appropriate."  So that's what we did on Thursday, December 30.  Given COVID concerns, we offered 4 one-hour slots during which we first gathered in the Nave to sing two of her hymns (with her body there), and hear one of her reflections.  We then moved the the undercroft for the tacos and margaritas.  Mount Olive,  in typical fashion, set the room up in a beautiful way!  Son Jeremiah assembled a photo slide show, Son Benjamin and his wife Angel (both chefs) lovingly did all the cooking, and Mount Olive everything else in abundance, elegance, and grace.  

The Requiem Eucharist was held the next day on Friday, December 31, 2021, 10:00 am at Mount Olive.  Pastor Joseph Crippen presided and Preached, Lora Dundek representing the Mount Olive Community as Assisting Minister.  As Sacristan Tom Olsen led the liturgical party, and provided incense activating all our senses.  The Mount Olive Cantorei and singers of the National Lutheran Choir sang.  Organists Robert Buckley Farlee and Tim Strand led hymns that they composed to Susan's text, organist Aaron David Miller played Messaien's "Dieu Parmi Nous" ("God With Us" - a theme of mine throughout everything) ,  Baritone Chandler Molbert offered the prelude, pieces identified by Susan.  The nave was as full as safety allowed, and was also live-streamed.  It was glorious, and can still be watched:

https://youtu.be/0ZDkzI9vtFw

For the bulletin:  https://files.ctctusercontent.com/.../27231562-7f80-45f8...

The liturgy continued as we processed out, and went immediately to the burial ground,  Prairie Oaks Memorial Eco Gardens (8225 Argenta Trail, Inver Grove Heights) where she was immediately put into the earth.  As per her wish, we observed green-burial practices, becoming one with the earth, one with the growth there with as little impediment or harmful effects on the earth to that process as possible, no chemicals, untreated wood, no metal, only 100% cotton.  A birch tree will also be planted at the site.  It's a very peaceful place - like in the woods out in the country.

Without a doubt she will be missed by all of us, certainly by me.  We were together for 41 years (including the year prior to our getting married).  I'm so happy and lucky to have been that person.   She is already greatly missed by sons Jeremiah and Benjamin and their spouses Karen and Angel.  She is greatly missed by her grandchildren Hannah, James and Gabriella.  And also, she will be missed by our cat Jacq.

One thing that must be said here:  THANK YOU.  So many of you sent your prayers, love, support, concern through cards, phone-calls, flowers, food - and it was always her intention to send a personal note of thanks to each and every individual who did any of those things.  We were just overwhelmed by the number of them, and coupled with her cognitive decline, we were unable to accomplish that.  To the many, many who did those things, and those who offered their gifts in the two events following her death, the liturgical leaders, the preparers of the bulletin, the musicians, and my friend Steve Branstad, the undertaker who understands his role as ministry,  THANKS BE TO GOD,  THANKS BE TO YOU!

Stay in touch with me - I'm going to need it - after a space of grieving, taking my own breath, and asking God for the strength for my next step.

For now, let's leave it at this:  "Smile grateful into light".  Simply,  Thank you.