The Blog of Bert Jones

I just got back from Sioux Falls attending the funeral of my cousin. What a day.

We woke up at 5:00 this morning and got every­thing together and left at 5:30. Drove the 5 hours there and arrived around 10:30. Vis­ited with my Aunt and other cousin. Talked about the good mem­o­ries we had and how exactly my cousin passed and what hap­pened in those few short weeks.

We waited around then for some other family mem­bers to arrive (so they could follow us to the funeral home–even though Sioux Falls is small, you can get lost easily) We then arrived at the funeral home and I was able to see my cousin’s body and say goodbye.

I wasn’t ready for what I saw. She looked beau­tiful, but she looked so old. You could tell she fought a long hard battle with cancer. It was tough seeing her so old. I always remem­bered the vibrant young woman who was always joking and laughing. She looked so dif­ferent lying there.

The min­ister came and took the family to a sep­a­rate room where we all had a pri­vate quiet prayer (except where a cousin’s cell phone went off and he decided to “talk” to them on the phone during the prayer–I really hate cell phones! At least he went to the other side of the room. Although we could still hear him)

Then we were lead back to the chapel and had the ser­vice. The ser­vice was very nice. (Except when another cousin in that same “cell phone” family–his phone went off in the middle of the sermon and was talking to someone–did I men­tion I really hate cell phones.…or should I say the people who don’t know how to turn them off in impor­tant places!)

Other than that it went well. We all headed back to the house for refresh­ments. A few other cousins finally found the place and we vis­ited with them.

Pretty soon 4 pm rolled around and we had to leave to start back. Our “late” cousins fol­lowed us and we all stopped at Burger Time for BIGGER BURGERS! I love those things. We finally have 9 in Min­nesota. We sat around and talked some more and caught up. We got the REAL story and not made up ones about the family (that never keeps in touch with us!)

Some­thing I don’t get is why family feels that is has to lie to us and not tell us the truth about what is going on in their lives. Your my family, I love you know matter what is going on (well, maybe). UGH!

Then we left Sioux Fall around 5:45 and got home at 10:15. Stopped 5 times for potty breaks. So I am beat. Talk to you tomorrow!

Well, I just got home from work. Tonight just flew by. I felt like I got nothing done. I hate that feeling.

I found out that my cousin Tina in Sioux Falls Passed away. Her funeral is Monday or Tuesday. We are going to drive out there, go to the funeral, visit, and then drive straight back. I will be sleeping most of the way.

I am gonna miss her. We were very close when I was younger. Every time I would visit we would hang out. She was my Tina! At least I have some very spe­cial and pre­cious mem­o­ries of her. I will miss you Tina. I love you and I know that you are with your dad! May you rest in peace.

On a dif­ferent note.….A word of warning.…Never sug­gest an idea to your spouse!

We were cleaning the mat­tresses and bed­ding and I said to my wife, we should move some of this around and she said okay. So I spent all day today moving bunk beds, mat­tresses, drawers, dressers, etc. OY VAY!

So, it is 1 am in the morning. Good Morning Sat­urday. What should I do since I am so awake? Maybe I will research the family tree some.…maybe pre­view some movie trailers, maybe make a list of things I need to bring to Aunt Pat and Lani while I am there next week.…Yeah that is it.….

Nighty Nighty you weird day people!