How Do We Wrap It Up?

Have you ever gone to a movie and when you get to the end of it you just have that sinking feeling that the director had no clue how to wrap it up? You walk out of the theater saying 'huh?". Thus is the case with this blog. How do you take 14 months worth of entries (93 to be exact) that shared the ups, downs, joys and sorrows of a man we all love, and wrap it up with a big sign that says, "The End"? Not sure I know.

I will recap the past couple days (I'll try to be brief!) because it not only brings closure to the past difficult weekend, but also begins a new chapter in Sherry's life. She will experience anew the companionship of Jesus, discover that life can go on while making new memories and find each and everyday that she is loved immensely by her kids, grand kids, family and friends.

As mentioned in our last update, our plan Sunday was to gather as a family and watch a NASCAR race together. Saturday night, Sherry and I along with Sarah and Emily (2 of Sherry's granddaughters) went across the street to Safeway to buy all the fixin's for a Larry style BBQ. Greg, Sherry's son, spent a better part of the evening replacing the brakes on Sherry's car. She felt it was important to be able to stop! Larry would have been extremely proud of Greg for doing this for his mom. Sherry went to bed around 9 and the rest of us headed home or to where we were staying. Greg and Sarah stayed the night with Sherry.

Sunday came and we regrouped at Sherry's around noon. We soon learned that the race was rained out!! While our opportunity to enjoy the race together was gone, we still had lots of laughs, great food, and a little more time together. Just before everyone headed home we made a trip back to the cemetery to see Larry's resting place. Sherry, Greg, Melody and I, Sarah, Emily, Kaity, Cathy and Bill and April made the trip together. We had a map and the section where he was placed. After a few wrong turns through the cemetery (it is a huge place and Sherry was leading the way!!) we found the section. We got out of our cars, and the search was on. We looked around a bit and then discovered "section 7" was across the roadway. Once we were on the right side of the road, we quickly found his spot. The marker has not been placed yet - that takes a little time to make, I guess. It will read "Larry James Cameron, April 1942 - April 2010 - Forever In Our Hearts". There will also be a cross etched in it to represent Larry's life of faith. For now there is a simple green metal stand with an official looking paper in it with the details. Of course, we placed lots of flowers at the site. His plot is down a slight incline so Sherry was not physically able to get to it. In time she will as they get that section completely landscaped. I must say that the Curtright clan (Sherry, Charlene, Cathy and April) will need to learn to use their cemetery voices when they visit Larry. Don't ever take the Curtright girls to a library. Guaranteed you'll get kicked out!

From there we hugged, hugged some more, and hugged one more time as we said our goodbyes. Melody, Kaity and I headed home to Sisters Oregon from there, our daughter Sarah headed to visit friends at the coast, Cathy, Bill and April headed to their homes in Beaverton and Clackamas. After taking Emily back to Portland State, Sherry and Greg stopped at Macaroni Grill for a quick bite before heading home. I am sure they had some sweet mother-son time. They haven't had that for years.

Sherry was home from work Monday to be with Greg before he had to leave around 3 to head back to Tennessee. He did lots of things around the house, took care of some of Larry's leftover "honey-do's" and worked with the apartment maintenance man to get Sherry's scooter easier to charge. Greg was pretty emotional when he left. Sherry reminded him that he had a family of his own to tend to, but that did little to ease the pain. Greg is a changed man and that was so evident this weekend. We are so grateful that he and his dad were able to reconcile in these past years.

After dropping Greg at the airport, Sherry headed to a home that wasn't empty, but full of the life that Larry led, the laughter that we all shared these past couple weeks and the hope that Sherry has as a beloved Child of God.

So how do we end this? Well we've decided we aren't quite ready to. Many have asked that we keep updating it as to how Sherry is transitioning and to keep them informed of any practical opportunities that come up where they can continue to walk with Sherry through this time and be of help. That's what Larry would want - so that's what we'll do. Sherry loves to get calls or emails even if it is to just say hello. We promised Larry just moments before his eyes closed for the last time that we would take care of Sherry. It won't always be easy but it will always be worth it.

For a grateful family...

Steve