Celebration of Life & Family

                                                         Rebecca Jane Lount Haynes

This past weekend we drove from Las Vegas to the tiny mountain town of Kremmling, Colorado to celebrate the life of David’s mom, Rebecca Haynes. Becky died rather suddenly last December at the age of 99 and one of her final wishes was to be buried in Kremmling, next to her husband, Dan, and that’s just what the family did.

Perhaps because of the time elapsed between last December and the gorgeous, blue-sky Colorado morning in June, emotions were a bit less raw and memories were vivid and happy. David and his sibs went through old and new photos in advance and displayed photo memory boards for everyone to see and ponder. Old sepia and black and white family photos from the early 20th century to last year’s Halloween party at Becky’s assisted living facility. She was a feisty flapper.

There was lots of reminiscing and story-telling … the stuff family myths and legends are all about. This is the time when the younger members of the family hear the old tales and anecdotes and hopefully retain them to pass on to their kids.

A true family legend ... Becky's mom Lulubelle Sowers Lount traveled to Michigan by covered wagon, built a cabin and homesteaded her land.

We laughed and cried, hugged and kissed, got to know new members of our extended family and renewed relationships with those whom we hadn’t seen in a long time. There were kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, greats and even great-greats … it was absolutely awesome and warmed our collective hearts. Weddings and funerals, they say, are the times when families get together, and it’s so very true. That said, we were so glad that so many family members and friends made the trip to the mountains to get together for this celebration. What a tribute to Becky … no doubt she was loving it … and now she’s back home with Dan.