Miracle Funeral, and Burial!

We were married for almost 24 years.  

My husband laid down for a nap during the late morning of Labor Day, September 3rd, 2012.  He said "Hi Sweetie" to our 11 year old as she sat near him on the sofa, watching cartoons.  He had a few cookies and a cup of milk, asked her to hand him his cell phone...did a few more things, and decided to take a nap.

He cuddled in a comforter and smooshed his face into a pillow with the air conditioner full blast and blowing that icy cold air right on him.  That was his favorite way to take a nap.  He had been having such bad headaches.  The naps seemed to help.    

He had just filed for early retirement. He had received his first check, and hadn't spent a dime of it yet.  I hoped he would go fishing later, and we would just "be" with him...enjoying a rest from his long labor, on Labor Day.  He fell asleep.  We stayed quiet, so he could sleep well...and so he would feel better.  He woke up, but not at home.  He woke up in heaven, with our Lord; the Master Carpenter is his new fishing buddy.

I am still here.  Our children are still here.  His funeral is next Wednesday and paying for it has become quite a crisis.  The "first" funeral home failed to tell me that they only had an office here, in Colorado Springs.  I clearly told them, that the children and I wanted Steve close to home, and there were two funeral homes that seemed close to home.  Theirs was the first of the two.  They failed to tell me (four times) that they were transporting him to Denver for care, viewing, and even the funeral!  I had no idea!!!

I had to get him back here, to a new funeral home, and the first funeral home wants me to pay for their deception, their misinformation, their error in judgment.  I just want him back.  I signed the papers today, to get my loving husband, well, his body, back to Colorado Springs.  

The funeral isn't expensive.  We chose the least expensive casket/vault.  We are making our own remembrance packet, and handling getting our own flowers from somewhere very reasonable.  In fact, the funeral director discounted everything as much as he can due to the circumstances, and it is as basic as we can get and avoid cremation.  

We don't want cremation.  My children became VERY upset about the whole idea.  They want, and deserve, a simple but traditional funeral and burial.  I was surprised at how many people want to come, but we are keeping it small.  We just want him buried where we can visit his grave. We found a very reasonable cemetery where we can even plant some "annual" flowers on his grave each year.  

Is that asking too much?  

I hope you will decide to help.  We don't have much time.  If I don't have the money by the day of the funeral, they won't do the funeral, or the burial.  It seems like an expensive business I know, but it is a business...they have to be paid.  I know that.  I still have three children at home.  Our son has had serious health issues, and our two daughters, 17 and 11, are still in school.  I am not asking for long term help...just help to say goodbye and bury my husband, the loving father of our three wonderful children.  

We are working at earning the money to pay for his sudden funeral and burial.  We do not have life insurance (we lost our policies for financial reasons) so any donations are deeply appreciated. My husband planned to retire to extend his life. We did not expect his sudden death.  I have given hundreds, and thousands, and I have given $1.00 before, when I felt like I should.  It is the act of giving that is so beautiful.  If you can help us with any size donation, please do.  We will never forget you. Never.

Thank you, and may you be blessed in all that you do.