Daniel with his mom Casey
Last week my nephew Carl called with some sad news. The night of July 10th my (step) great-nephew was killed. Daniel was out late with his cousin and there is no need to sugar coat it... they had been drinking, he swerved to miss a deer and the truck rolled at least 4 times. They were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from the truck. Daniel passed away, and his cousin was seriously injured. Despite the circumstances my niece Casey lost her first born son, and my nephew Jimmy a step-son. All who knew Daniel loved him. He was kind and made people smile. I knew that I needed to go to Cheyenne for the funeral, I felt it in my heart. I love Casey and Jimmy, and I just needed to give them a hug and tell them how sorry I was.
The funeral service and the reception after was very nice.
My niece Heidi
Sister-law Mary Kay
Great-niece Reagan
Nephew Carl J
Cousin Carlene
Nephew Jimmy ~ niece Heidi, they are good friends
Lloyd
told me I was welcome to stay with him and Rhonda at Rhonda's family
farm. It was such a great experience. It's a quintessential
farmhouse, and would be a perfect setting for a Hallmark movie!
The bedroom where I stayed. This farmhouse would be an antique lovers dream.
I loved the hinges on the doors.
Rhonda's Mom Anita loves dishes too!
They have a very sweet farm dog named Sadie.
I woke up to the sound of roosters crowing and cows mooing. It brought back so many memories.
Rhonda and Lloyd work together to take care of the farm. Rhonda also looks after of her Mom. Her Dad was mauled by a bull, and died shortly after. Rhonda would help her Dad milk cows. I have never seen anyone who works as hard as she does.
I would look out the window and see Lloyd walking around the corral, he reminds of my Dad so much. This is Luke, Lloyd says he's a good horse but not the one for him. He says he likes a horse with a big hip. My nephew Theo was seriously injured while training Luke. Theo said it was not Luke's fault.
They have three bulls in the same corral, and I asked Lloyd if they get along to which he replied, "They have worked it out."
Sadie and I went for walk every morning.
The day before I went to Cheyenne, Lloyd's horse Crockett got out of the coral, and was hit by a car and killed. He didn't sleep well that night. Lloyd buried him the next day. He put some rocks in a circle and picked some wildflowers to mark his grave. It upset him to loose his horse.
Even though it was a sad occasion, it was wonderful to see some of my family. We are not perfect, we have seen each other at our best and worst, through smiles and tears, thick and thin, we try to always be there for each other.
It was stormy after the funeral and we saw this beautiful rainbow on the way back to the farm. The picture does not do it justice. I thought of Jimmy and Casey, they are going through a dark time, but after the storm there is a rainbow. I pray they can have peace and comfort in the coming days.
Rhonda had to go to work Thursday morning so Lloyd and I got to spend the morning together. I went with him to check on the cows. They have over 50 calves. I got see one that was only a few hours old.
We went to town and to visit Grandpa and Grandma Federer's grave and Mom and Les's grave as well. Following Lloyd... he makes me feel safe. He has always watched out for me.
We reminisced and it was wonderful to share that experience with Lloyd. We had breakfast at Taco John's and that topped off a perfect morning! I love my brother.
Jimmy text me on my way home to Utah, he said "Thank you so much for coming I know what a drive it is. It filled my heart to see you. I miss you lots and I love ya!"
I made the right decision...
