Oh, my aching back!

Let's see....where did I leave off with my earlier posting???
*

Oh, yes, I made a passing remark about the celebs we recognized and about those we did not, at Billy's memorial service. Prior to the memorial as folks trickled in and sought seats, Justin and I read our service folders which included a lengthy biography about Billy. There is mention about where he was born, being in a military family and so on. Where he went to school, about his music teachers and his desire to study musical theory what has become FCCJ. Little was mentioned about his family, wife and kids, or his extended family, which, I guess, is expected, depending upon who wrote the biography.

*

The service was orderly, not one bit of irreverence or whatever could have happened at a high-profile event like this. As Pastor remarked this a.m., even a non-Lutheran funeral can be reverent. We expected music and got it, but were not fully expecting to hear and see Bob Ritchey (a.k.a. Kid Rock) singing a gospel song, nor did we anticipate Hank Williams, Jr. to recite his father's hit: "I Saw the Light" , by heart. When Kid introduced Hank, he called him "Bocephas" which comes from Hank Sr.'s nickname for his son.

*

One of the less spectacular moments but certainly memorable was when Billy's son, Brandon, went up front to play a song in honor of his dad. Another young man sang the hymn as Brandon played one of the other "performers" guitar, for which he thanked them. At first he was a bit choked up but once they got started and his friend sang the song, it went better. At the end, though, both young men were in tears and hugged each other in thanks and comfort.

*

The preacher was a personal friend of Billy's and was not the official pastor of this church. He spoke about how Billy lived large, but remembered the small. Once in awhile he slipped in remark about how Billy knew the Lord and vice versa but mainly the theme was about living large, Billy's generous nature, extravagant gifts, and so on. He did modify his theme to include "live for something eternal", and also commented that Billy's life was filled with blessings as well as demons which he battled daily. Those demons went unspoken but most of us knew what they were. I only wish I could have gotten closer to Ellen, and hold her hand or squeeze her shoulders. Maybe during the week when the hubbub is over.....

*

One of the more exciting things for me was being able to stand in that church and "sing with everything we got", as coaxed by the preacher, "Amazing Grace". This means that Justin, me, and everyone else who participated were singing with Lynyrd Skynyrd!!!! Just another day in the life of Kim!

*

My life is so exciting I can barely stand it, and in fact, today I am best friends with my heating pad again. The vacuuming and such yesterday plus getting ready for the Youth Group Super Bowl party is killing my back!!!!!