Papa and I are just back at the ranch after spending the weekend in Tampa for Aunt Rhea's Memorial Service. We arrived in Tampa on Friday afternoon. After gathering Whitney and Greta, Audrey, Dan, and Lauren, we went to Jane's house for a pizza dinner. We shared hugs with Granny, Jane, Renee and Russ, Debbie, Kelly, and Christy, we ate together, and sat around a backyard bonfire.
Saturday morning was filled with chopping and food prep at Jane's house with Renee, Jane, and Debbie. We got dressed and went to Hyde Park Presbyterian Church by 2. We created platters of food and organized tables in time for the 3 o'clock start of the Memorial Service. It was a special service with Renee and Jane talking about Aunt Rhea and her life, and several others offering words of love and remembrance. Everyone enjoyed the reception afterward.
On Saturday evening, we sat around the hotel pool while Greta played with toy dishes that Grammar had brought. It was wonderful to be together with family. Dan, Whitney and Greta left early on Sunday morning. All the rest of us gathered at Jane's house for lunch together. We sat in the back yard and chatted until after 7 p.m., when Renee and Russ and Granny headed back to Orlando.
We spent Monday morning with Audrey and Lauren and then had lunch with Jane at Dockside Dave's in St. Petersburg Beach. We had grouper sandwiches and were happy to spend a little more time with Jane. It was a wonderful weekend and celebration of Aunt Rhea's life.
