memorial

We drove straight to the memorial service at the Lutheran church, late, and sat in the last row in back while the rain poured outside. After the officiants finished their part, one by one, friends and family came up to share their memories about J. Paul. There was a table in front with photos of her and Brad's wedding and a great old photo of J. and her son, Jake, when he was still small. Must have been a holiday portrait. There was a ceramic urn with dragonflies on it. People whose businesses she encouraged and helped set up spoke. Old friends spoke. Her older brother spoke through tears.

After the service, the few of us from Women's Night group of friends met up for a couple of hours at The Imperial. We drank, snacked, and shared our own personal and shared memories of Jae.

We drove back to North Carolina after that because MonsterMustDie insisted in sleeping in his own bed after two weeks in Chicago. Thankfully, he drove while I mostly slept in the (no airbag) passenger seat. We got in a little after 10pm.