A View That Doesn't Grow Old

Tonight she left us with our dinner and headed downtown to the Cathedral for a rehearsal for the big celebration of the Madre de las Americas. She loves the cold crisp nights when Seattle shimmers.

And the rehearsal was the best they had ever had. And she came home to us in time for her dinner of pizza and salad and our shimmering company!

Contemplating New Real Estate

Before returning to their cars, the keeper and Suzy checked out other people's real estate, and then considered the keeper's new spot. Suzy pointed out that the keeper's space has a perk which the keeper hadn't noticed---a neighbor's spot is marked by an impressive bench for contemplation. Handy for all the keeper's friends. And so they practiced contemplating mortality.

Familiar Resting Places

When they arrived at Calvary they all accompanied Jack's casket, carried by his grandchildren, to his grave, led by a bagpiper. As they wound around Calvary, they passed many friends who had already made the journey. But the sun shown in the new sharpening cold as they made their way down the road.

And when it was all over, Jack's son, Tom, repeated Jack's famous concluding words,

"Friends, we have done what we have come here to do. Feel free to stay as long as you need, and when you are ready, you may return to your cars."

Well done, good and faithful servant. Much peace be yours now, dear Jack.

Jack's final journey

A very big day. Not for us, of course. A funeral in a nearly full Cathedral for Jack, beautiful words, music, and people. Tears and laughter. And a reception rich  foods, juicy meats, fine wine, and yes, Irish Whiskey. Eventually they took him to his resting place. But it took a bit of wrangling with the motorcycle cops stopping First Hill traffic, which was only fitting for such a man as Jack.

The keeper told us she remembered many trips with Jack in the coach carrying others to their rest and how he was always grateful when families chose to have police escorts, so everyone would arrive at the cemetery unharmed or unticketed.

Remembering Dear Jack

Finally she came home to us after a dinner which followed a vigil and reception for their great friend Jack. The church was SRO and was a collection of Catholic Seattle celebrating the man who was "friend of the family" at the most wrenching times of loss. Now the People of God gathered to accompany his family as they walk through their wrenching loss. We hear the reception was full of rich food, drink, and Irish Coffee!

25 Years

After they blessed graduates, they celebrated Fr. Tito's silver anniversary of priesthood.

Children brought him roses and the parish gave him a gift.

Advent Blessing of Graduates

This was a wild beginning of Advent. We believe it was hard for the keeper to process

it all. A wonderful morning liturgy at the Cathedral. Then baptisms, followed by a blessing of the most recent graduates of the Parenting Classes who stood so proudly with their certificates while the Assembly blessed them.