Saying Good-bye to Ed

Suzi and I made the trek to Victoria last Wednesday to say good-bye to our sweet friend Ed and love on his wife, Sherry. Before I go one second further, I have to tell you Sherry looked absolutely beautiful. It's kind of neat to see how people clean up well when they're not sleeping in tents, showering in semi trucks and walking 60 miles.

It was hard to be making that trek for the reasons that we were, but it was such a blessing to have that time to spend with Suzi. With schedules like they are, we don't have that much time to just hang out. A whole day with her was a blessing I really needed.

We got to Victoria about noon -- well ahead of the 2:00 Mass for Ed. We stopped in at Charlie's Liquor and Wine to buy a couple of bottles of vino. We'll toast Ed one of these days and that will be cool.

We asked the gang at Charlie's where we should eat lunch, and they sent over to Jim's Big Burger.

Oh, my Heavens. I think we may have found out why Ed had a massive heart attack at 58. This is Burger Heaven. If you're ever in Victoria, I highly recommend you give them a try. VERY inexpensive. And one of those absolutely-perfect burgers. Toasted bun, with that little bit of crunch right on the edges. Mmmmm......

After Jim's, we hit Target where Suzi bought a juicer (I know -- huge contrast to lunch), and then went to the funeral. I've never been to a Catholic funeral / mass before -- but I have to say, there were a lot of Hail Marys. It was very interesting. I will say I missed the personal touch that you get with a good, old Protestant funeral. The slideshow. The masses of flowers. The singing. The message where the preacher touches you with memories of your loved one.

We did order flowers, though -- PINK. With two pink ribbons. One said, "Real Men Wear Pink" and the other read, "Team Talent." Sherry's friend Pam said she was really touched by that. I'm glad. I think Ed would have liked them!