Traveling to Redding California Day 1 - the viewing

I was fortunate to find a flight to Sacramento on Southwest airlines where we have some points saved away for situations like this requiring last minute travel. I left from Dallas Love field and flew to Midland/Odessa. I had never been there before and it was such an interesting landscape. As you fly in you see the land is flat and brown and divided grid like as far as you can see.



In the center of each grid is an oil derrick like this.



From there, I flew to Las Vegas.



And then finally arrived in Sacramento. My Dad, Sally, and Amber were waiting at the curb in the rental car and we started the drive to Sacramento, but not without stopping at In 'n Out Burger first.

We got quickly changed at the hotel and arrived about 10 minutes early for the family viewing that was being held from 5-7 pm that evening. It was so difficult and yet also amazing to see all the photos from Tami's life on display so beautifully. It was wonderful to see all the family-- cousins, aunts, and uncles that you share such a rich history with and yet don't really have the chance to see or even talk to very often.











There were so many beautiful flowers. They brought back such memories of all the flowers at my mom's home and at her funeral. Before my mom died I was pretty ambivalent about having flowers for any occasion -- they just kind of seem like a waste of money. And yet I learned then that being around such beautiful flowers all the time was such a great metaphor to remind us that life is so beautiful and yet fleeting. I now always try to have cut flowers in the house as often as possible so that we can all enjoy the beauty of them and also be reminded that beauty doesn't last -- it has to be appreciated in the moment.

The evening was spent with an open microphone and everyone shared stories of Tami. It was a beautiful tribute to her life!

This is Chuck, Tami's husband and Lexi, Tami's only grandchild.



This is Candace, Tami and Chuck's daughter (on the right) and cousin Mikayla.

This is Chuck, Chad (Tami's son), and Candace with Tami's life long friend Becky. Becky brought them this beautiful tile. I loved it and am sure I'll be making something like it someday with my silhouette cutter. Of course, I am hoping to make them to celebrate new babies or a wedding or something -- I'm a bit funeraled out.





Following the viewing a family that was very close to Chuck and Tami had ALL of us to their home for dinner. I was truly amazed at the generosity of this family to host such a large group. The food was amazing. Afterwards we went to Chuck and Tami's home (I had never been to their home before -- they moved there in 1999). We had such a nice time visiting.