We spent the day at mom’s going over the particulars of the funeral. We told more stories, very funny ones, about Dad and his great sense of humor. We remembered his steadfastness and strength. Everyone had a wonderful memory to share.

Today was a day of being near family and dealing with details. There is tremendous grace upon us as we we move through the motions–the numerous details–to say our final good-byes to a precious life. There will be more days like this. These are days of “sweeping up the heart and putting love away.”  

I thought about Emily Dickinson’s poem today:

The Bustle in the House

The Bustle in a House
The Morning after Death
Is solemnest of industries
Enacted upon Earth —

The Sweeping up the Heart
And putting Love away
We shall not want to use again
Until Eternity.