Big Rapids, MI

The visitation on Friday night was very nice. Such a great turnout of family and friends. My parents and I moved away from Michigan when I was 8 – but I still remembered many of the faces. And it was very heartwarming to have family members from my dad’s side of the family there. That really meant a lot.

The funeral today was lovely. My cousins, their kids and I took up the gifts during the offertory.

There was the traditional small town church potluck in the basement afterwards.

Followed by the burial in Paris – where I lived from 2-8 years old.

From there the family all headed to our hotel in Big Rapids – the Holiday Inn. Where the kids swam and the adults had snacks and beer.

I am beyond my breaking point. The stress of this week has been overwhelming. To top it off, I am staying in a very old Holiday Inn in Big Rapids with my parents! This is a very small town – essentially my home town. But even so – this hotel is not up to par with the type of service I am accustomed to. I have had many confrontations with the front desk staff regarding their lack of service skills. But what do they care? They are “the” hotel in town.

I would probably pay $50 for a cup of Starbucks coffee right now!

Meanwhile, my idiot friends were on our vacation. It was a very difficult weekend for me. Obviously the loss of my grandmother weighed heavily, but I also lost my vacation. The vacation we look forward to all year… and the one I spend a lot of time arranging for all of us. I have a lot invested in it.

This weekend is our annual camping trip in Put-In Bay to see “The Menus”.

Dave, Roger, Cliff and Boo kept me up to date with texts and emails.

I can not remember where I put the photo CD - as soon as I find it, I will add some of their photos.