Today there has been a lot of remembering----a lot of it the hard parts at the end. But there were also funny bits popping through. Many of Rachael's selfies are of her with coffee: so in the first days in the hospital, when they realized there was a blockage, she wasn't supposed to drink...anything, basically.  They were also trying to get her pain meds figured out, so at one point she was quite 'loopy'. I think I was going out to have tea downstairs and Rachael dimly figured that out and said, "Ok, ok ......can you get me a Venti (coffee?/water?).  I said, 'no, Rachael, you can't drink anything....'  She paused.....(slurring slightly)..".ok ok, get me a Grande!!"  We all laughed. and repeated the constraint.....so she pointed to her mouth...."ice chips".    Fortunately, soon after, they put in a GI tube, which meant she could drink (and it would get sucked back out again)---which was very satisfying for her.  One good moment in the midst of it all.

From John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progess, read at her graveside service:

From Pilgrim’s Progress (1681)

Betwixt them and the gate was a river, but there was no bridge to go over: the river was very deep. At the sight of this river, the Pilgrims were much stunned; but the men that went in with them said, You must go through, or you cannot come at the gate.

They then addressed themselves to the water and, entering, Christian began to sink, and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, I sink in deep waters; the billows go over my head, all his waves go over me! Then said the other, Be of good cheer, my brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good. Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole;. Then they both took courage. Christian therefore presently found ground to stand upon, and thus they got over.

Now, they saw the two shining men again, who there waited for them; ….The talk they had with the Shining Ones was about the glory of the place; who told them that the beauty and glory of it was inexpressible….You are going now, said they, to the paradise of God, ….

There you shall enjoy your friends again that are gone thither before you; and there you shall with joy receive, even every one that follows into the holy place after you.

….Now while they were thus drawing towards the gate, behold a company of the heavenly host came out to meet them; ….. There came out also at this time to meet them, several of the King's trumpeters, clothed in white and shining raiment, who, with melodious noises, and loud, made even the heavens to echo with their sound…..they compassed them round on every side; some went before, some behind, and some on the right hand, some on the left, ….continually sounding as they went, with melodious noise, in notes on high: so that the very sight was as if heaven itself was come down to meet them.

Thus, therefore, they walked on together; and as they walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their music with looks and gestures, still signify… how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them.