August 17, 2010

Dear everyone:

Where does time go? It seems I just boarded a plane for Texas but in all reality, I've landed, attended my dad's funeral celebration, had sweet times with our family and now....10 days have passed - whew!

Many of you have written, sent flowers, cards, food and your love to us during this time of loss. We sure miss my dad but we have had some of the most wonderful moments just talking about him and laughing at all the times we shared while he was with us.

All his brothers and sisters were present at the funeral celebration and it was a lovely event. My brother, Mark, Ryan and Neal spoke at the funeral along with Bill Sizemore who is their pastor. My uncle Eddie (dad's brother) spoke at the graveside and everything was just beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a better day. There are great pictures on Neal's Facebook site - if you are not friends with him he'd love to be friends so you can view them. If you aren't on FB, then I'll try to post them here on the blog at some point. You can also view them on my facebook page too - Cathy O'Neal McGaughey.

Mark returned to Jax on Saturday and the kids all left on Saturday morning back to KC. Thank goodness Rhonda came with them so they weren't all packed in the van like sardines!!! She was a big help and I was glad to have her here for the week...what would we do without best friends! My brother left Friday and we all had the best time being together. The kids all got to be together and enjoy some of the "Texas Life."

My mom and I are now working on getting all her business in order. There's lots to do, but hopefully, I'll be able to leave here with all of it complete so she doesn't have to worry about it. I'm staying in Texas until late September. What a gift that I can do this and my sweet husband supports it. Though, he has already been fishing since getting home! I'm sure he'll get his fill of it while I'm gone! We have great family and friends in Jax to help entertain and take care of him.

Thanks to all of you who took the time to write us notes, send food, cards, flowers and just....all kinds of stuff. Every gift great and small meant so much.

I have a wonderful powerpoint of my dad that I'll try to post so you can see it. Megan put it together for the funeral and everyone loved it. My dad was just the best!

Keep praying for us and my mom...she's doing great but I know she sure misses my dad's company.

That's it for now...until next time - we love you so much,

Cathy