We just returned from a visit to Sweden It was a very difficult but meaningful time. The first week we prepared for and attended Marcus mom Lilian's funeral. Held in their town's small local church built in the 1100s, Lilian's funeral service included her favorite artist Bruce Springsteen's "I'll see you in my Dreams" played on the piano, followed psalms & prayers, a touching eulogy, and finally Amazing Grace. Lilian's urn was at the front surrounded by wreaths and bouquets of flowers with messages from friends and relatives on attached ribbons. After the service, Marcus dad carried the urn from the church to the adjacent cemetery. Then Marcus and his dad lowered his mom's urn into the gravesite, our family placed notes to her in the grave, and other funeral attendees added single flowers and said their goodbyes. I will never forget watching his dad carry the urn of his wife of 60 years out of the church. It reminded me of watching my dad during my mom's graveside service as he gazed at the coffin of his partner for as many years. I could see such pain of the loss on their faces as well as the beauty of long-lasting love and friendship. 

After the church service and burial, the group moved across the street to a community building for lunch and a celebration of life. We had decided to personalize the space with photos, examples of Lilian's silverwork, and a display of some of her many scarves, as she wore one almost every time people saw her. We invited the attendees to take and wear a scarf in Lilian's memory, and it was fun to see which one they chose and hear their memories of her. It was a long day, but we were grateful that so many friends and family came to honor to an incredible woman and a life well-lived.

The week after the funeral, we decided we needed a break so we engaged in several day trips. We went to a horserace, we drove to the coast where we saw a Stonehenge-era installation & had fresh fried herring (of course), and we even attended a Swedish national day celebration in Lund, which for some reason had Dolly Parton impersonators singing in Swedish! We also had a great time watching the beginning of the World Cup. Go Sweden!

It was hard to leave Marcus' dad yesterday, but thanks to WhatsApp and Teams, we will be online with him frequently and we will see him twice a year in person. And we are reassured that his community of local family and friends will be there for him in between.