Honoring Roger and Laughter is Good Medicine

 Today we celebrated our son-in-law Roger at a beautiful service at the Next Step Christian Church. The day was filled with good phamily, friends and a support system that kept this entire phamily upright during this past year.

Pastor Dusty opened his church and his church hall to Noelle and all her loved ones. It was simply beautiful.  My husband Avery, our son Jeremy and good friend Jeff R. each chose Scripture to read at the service. Pastor Dusty gave a short but very lovely prayer service, Scripture reading and spoke so beautifully about Roger, Then our strong and brave daughter Noelle gave her eulogy that she wrote. Twenty minutes of tears, laughter, a photo collage (thank you Tarrah) and beautiful music.

As we left the chapel area, which was packed, we saw the hallway was lined by so many wonderful friends and phamily who arrived to pay their respect. I had to stop and lean against the wall because the support was absolutely incredible. We had a beautiful meal provided by Boston Market and enjoyed the company of many old and new friends. Our phamily support was terrific. I told a good friend, there is not one person here today that did not know Noelle & Roger personally. A true testimony to my son-in-law who I am going to miss terribly. Yet I would not wish him back to this earth and all the pain and suffering he had to deal with . His grace and fortitude was epic.

Roger was very private and he took a while to get to know you. But once he did, he was fiercely loyal to all he loved. I can't help but think he stood there holding Noelle up (he did not like to see her sad and crying) and enjoyed watching us from his new heavenly home with Alastor Avery. He had said he wanted to join Alastor.  We all knew that the suffering was getting harder and he wanted to some peace. We prayed for miracles but sometime we see God Break our hearts because he has something in store for us that we know nothing about. I believe Roger knew his time with Our Lord had arrived. He left peacefully and now we walk carefully trying to put pieces of our hearts back together.

Roger had a silly side and we could laugh and be silly and his silly faces were incredibly hilarious. He had a way about him that was one-of-a-kind. Although he is now away from us in this world, we all pray we will see him on the other side. A favorite photo of Noelle's of Roger. His urn was Roger, 100 percent, all the way. . He was the coolest dude to ever ride a Harley and I enjoyed every ride he ever gave me. His safety awareness for motorcyclists was unbelievable. I always felt safe on the back of his bike. Gonna miss you numero uno Son-In-Law. Catch ya on the other side. 

So in honor of my son-in-law Roger, I am posting some good old fashioned laughter. It is  songs you should never play at a wedding. I know Roger would have enjoyed the laughter.

Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon and Garfunkel

Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town Kenny Rogers and the First Edition

Gotta Move On Diddy and Bryson Tiller

It Ain't Over Yet Rodney Crowell (featuring Roseann Cash)

No Hard Feelings Old Dominion

Burning Bridges The Mike Curb Congregation ( Kelly's Heroes)

Go and Say Goodbye Buffalo Springfield

She Got The Goldmine, I Got The Shaft Jerry Reed

Mr. & Mrs. Used To Be John Prine 

D-I-V-O-R-C-E Tammy Wynette

After the Fire Is Gone Tammy Wynette & George Jones

Making Believe Willie Nelson & Brandi Carlile

I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishing Song) Brad Paisley

You Give Love A Bad Name Bon Jovi

You're So Vain Carly Simon

Fake Love Drake

Mother-in-Law Ernie K. Doe

All My Ex's Live in Texas George Strait

Fifty ways to Leave Your Lover Paul Simon

Highway to Hell AC/DC

Love Stinks J. Geils Band

Love Will Tear Us Apart Joy Division

Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley

Go Your Own way Fleetwood Mac

A Man Needs A Maid Neil Young

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For U2

Should I Stay Or Should I Go The Clash

White Liar Miranda Lambert

Blank Spaces Taylor Swift

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together Taylor Swift

I hope you will indulge me. I had so much fun laughing with Avery as we compiled this list. Taylor Swift and  the late Tammy Wynette & George Jones are the winners here as they could sing a sad song with a back story. Swift writes much of her own music and Tammy & George were country music sweethearts with their heart break songs.

Here's to Roger for a life , although too short, was well lived.

Laughter is indeed Good Medicine!