I have just lived through one of the worst weeks in my life.

If you were to ask me how I got through it, I would have to say I was very busy.

On Sunday, my daughter, Kathy and her husband, Gary planned a cookout for us as Dan had planned to have one with sausage, peppers and onions.

Monday came and I started writing an obituary, which you  never plan to do for your son. Neighbors dropped in during the day and Kathy and Gary prepared Sovlaki for our dinner and we all ate together again at Dan’s house.

On Tuesday, my daughter Kathy and granddaughter, Kassi went to the Enterprise office to work on the obituary with Melissa. Then, as usual, I had errands and we went to the State Farm office to pay my vehicle insurance.

In the afternoon, Danielle and I went to Fredendall’s to make funeral arrangements.

I spent Wednesday looking for pictures to put on boards and in the slide show. I’m never prepared to have each person’s life in pictures, in order.

Danielle and I also had to decide on music to put on the slide show. Tom Nagengast was doing that for us.

On Wednesday, we also went to Bella Fleur to order flowers.

On Thursday, I reserved time to answer phone messages that I had been avoiding. Then I had to try to find a comfortable outfit to wear. It has been 5 years since my husband, Ray’s funeral, 3 years since my mother, Martha Longacker, and nephew Everett Hallenbeck passed away and 2 years since my brother, Len Richardson. My husband, mother and nephew are buried in Thompson’s Lake Rural Cemetery and my brother is buried in Saratoga National Cemetery.

Friday meant more phone calls. Ward Stone called and praised Danny for how well he took care of the pond.

The viewing at Fredendall’s lasted from 4 to 10 p.m. Hundreds of people passed through the line.

On Saturday at the funeral, friends and relatives came from near and far.

Pastor Tim gave a very soothing service. Wendy Richardson sang, “I go to the garden.” I read what Danielle wanted to say, others speaking were Marcia, Brandon, Kassi, Miles, David and Chris Richardson, Ronnie Bullinger, and a young girl, whose dad, Chuck, worked with Dan at UPS.

In May, Dan taught her how to hunt turkeys. I’d heard all about it as Dan was always so proud to teach someone to hunt.

On Sunday, we all ate again at Dan’s. Kathy and Gary served eggplant Parmesan and lasagna. We found comfort in togetherness. There’s healing ingredients in numbers. Dan had planned this cookout.

Sunday morning we had gathered at Thompson’s Lake Reformed Church for help in our grieving. That included Marcia, Kathy and Gary, Kassi and Jared, Miles and Melissa and my sister Pat Kykala of Schenectady.

Brandon, Jenn, Samson, Nichole, Iain, and I are there every Sunday but we found much more love with more of our family there.

Bible study

The Bible study for adults led by the Rev. Bob Hoffman will meet on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m., in the church hall at the Knox Reformed Church. Come and lean more about God and how we disciples should live out our faith in the world.

Fall festival

The Thompson’s Lake Reformed Church is looking for people to set up and staff their concession stand at the Fall Festival at Thacher Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Contact Amy Baker and see if you can join the team.

Prayer chain

Thompson’s Lake and Knox Reformed churches have started a 21st Century version of the prayer chain; it uses e-mail to share the prayer requests received during the week.

If you would like to receive these e-mails, please give your e-mail address to Rev. Tim Van Heest. If you’d like to receive a phone call instead, please let him know that as well.