Granpa Foote's "Funeral"

We enjoyed yet another weekend in Duncan, this time, for Grandpa Foote's funeral*. We stayed with my mom and dad and brought Zorro along, so he could meet his cousins (Seth and Ryan's puppies) and frolic in the countryside. We arrived late Friday and left Sunday early in the morning, but it sure was nice to see so many cousins, aunts and uncles. I took pictures for the family in the park in Duncan Saturday morning right before the funeral. As usual, they were a bit chaotic, only the photographer (me) and mom and dad were on time. Alas, I think we got some cute shots of each family individually and it was far less stressful than last year. Perhaps that is lent to the fact that I am not a 2-month post partum biotch? (I wasn't that bad, was I?) Maybe it's because although late, everyone arrived in a reasonable time frame and we were able to make use of better light. If you want to see more pics, go to my facebook. Blogger takes 10 years to upload more than 3 pictures. Ugh.

Grandpa Foote decided that people do things backwards. They die first, then have all of the family gather to celebrate their life and say all of the nicest things about them. Never one to let an idea on how to improve the status quo pass him by, he requested to have his funeral for his 80th birthday (heck, isn't that old enough?) in lieu of a funeral when he dies. This is a dear picture to me. It's my Grandpa Foote leaving me my inheritance. Right after he spoke at his funeral. I went up and asked, "Since we're having your funeral and all already, why not fork over my inheritance?" To which he promptly replied, "I've got it right here in my wallet." And pulled out a $1 bill. I sometimes joke when I hear of friends/acquaintances who have rich family that leave them $ or give them a head start in life, "Where's my rich grandpa?!"

He leaves me and his blessed posterity so much more than money. The only time that I got emotional at his "services" was when he stood up and spoke and asked us to simplify our lives and enjoy our time with our loved ones. It really hit me what a wonderful legacy he has blessed me with and how much he's taught my mom and my siblings over the years of his example.

Part of the reason he doesn't have a lot of money is because he is the least materialistic person that I know. Relationships, love, work and doing what is right are the only things that matter to him. He could live in a tent (some places he's lived would only count as glorified tents, anyway), wear the same clothes and shoes forever, and never own a thing of worth, and he is still the most rich person I think I've ever met. He loves his wife (crazy as she has become in her old age) and he is good to his kids. He has a sarcastic sense of humor and likes to tease, but is nothing but a giant softy, gentle and kind. My mom said he never raised his voice, and only spank her once that she recalls, and that because she talked back to his wife. He is truly a mathematical genius, but as simple as can be. I remember him spending an entire week of my Christmas break tutoring me in math so I could pass Algebra and move on the next semester. He lived in a double wide trailer for as long as I knew him, but his warmth and enjoyment with his family made it a castle. I love him so much and value his lesson of simplicity and humility, being focused on what matters more than I could ever appreciate my "rich grandpa". And that's saying a lot.