"Goodbye" and "Hello"

I received the call from my Dad Friday at 3:30 regarding Wilburn's funeral. By 7pm, we were all (the four humans, two dogs, and the fish) on our way to Jacksonville, Florida. John said "we had to go". So we did.

Saying farewell to Wilburn is sad for me. I knew him and I didn't know him. There was always something about Wilburn. He was described, during the service, as gentle. I think of him more as a gentle giant. He was a tall man, kind and easy to talk to.

I have not seen this side of the family since John and I were married. Some longer than that. Others I have never met! Sunday, I met my cousin John (or Jon) and his wife, and my cousin Steven (or Stephen). It was nice to sit with everyone to get caught up a bit.

Steven (Stephen?) and Sandy

John and Margie

John and his bride.

We did get a chance to relax a bit Saturday, since the service was Sunday. John told the girls we'd take them to the Jacksonville Zoo. I have to admit I had mixed emotions about "having fun" while down for a funeral. But the family seemed okay with it.

The zoo there is beautiful. We saw so many animals we don't have at Riverbanks. They even have a water park for the kids, a goat farm where you can brush the goats, and a playground that looks like trees including a giant bird's nest for kids to crawl in.