Category Archives: Funerals

Spur One Another On…

…in love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10: 24-25 (NIV)

Cousins enjoying breakfast together the day after the funeral.

While many of our extended family gathered in southern California for our Pop’s funeral we took every advantage to enjoy each other’s company at restaurants, in homes and at the beach.

Cousins, aunts and uncles at Huntington Beach.

These two had to leave shortly after this photo was taken.

After the beach we gathered at our niece’s home in Huntington Beach and my siblings and I were captured having a laugh out loud till we cried moment.

Addy with her cousin once removed reading to her. Breakfast, Beach, airport, dinner all on Saturday July 21st.

Our pop’s famous greeting and benediction.

Newport Beach, Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula on Sunday July 22nd.

Newport Beach at our nephew and niece’s home. We are enjoying pizza and salad here for dinner. Earlier in the day we walked over to Balboa Island and enjoyed hot dogs from Crocker’s , the well dressed frank! Oh yum I forgot to take a photo of the best Chicago Dog that I’ve ever had!

Many of us out of towners left after this get together on Sunday July 22nd. The rest of the family enjoyed more special times together after we left.

Sunday July 29th was a birthday celebration at Golden Skewers in Montebello for our brother Leonard who is twins with our sister Lana. (She was gone for this celebration). Next door to Golden Skewers is a bakery we’ve enjoyed for over 50 years, Amy’s. The birthday cake in the next photo was purchased there.

Birthday brother with my two older sisters getting ready to enjoy the cake at my sister Kathy’s home.

With our parents gone from this earth the baton is in our court to keep our families connected and accountable to carry on in the good faith of our fathers.

Back here in Washington State we continue to tie up loose ends on this side of the mountains. We are making progress in emptying out our shop and making plans to find a spot to store that stuff in Colville or Kettle Falls. It’s been quite hot on both sides of the mountains and we are looking forward to cooler days to work in. Some new possibilities for homes have come on the market. We have a comfortable space here at our son and daughter in law’s in the meantime. God bless them. I’ve also had some quiet times in the morning to spend in the Word and then to even visit blogs. I don’t feel as displaced these days. Thank you for your visits and comments and prayers during this time of our lives. You are an encouragement to me.

Tuesdays with Moisi

I have a lot I want to share on my blog about my dear old Pop and his story. He was known as…Moisey (Moses/Moisi/Morris) Timofeyovich Bagdanov. For a time I will post part of my Pop’s story on Tuesdays. Every Tuesday was my day to call Pop and touch bases with him. For this first Tuesday I’m starting with our goodbyes to him on this earth. This was his viewing at Rose Hills on Thursday evening July 19, 2018.

Many friends and family were able to come and go over a 4 hour period. It was good to see and catch up with those we haven’t seen  since our mom’s funeral.

The casual service ended up being a hymn sing with requests from the friends and family who came. Our brother in law, Len, led the singing. It was so good to sing those great old hymns with true words that resonate today.

Some of our girls and nieces.

My sister Lana read this portion from the Bible that was referenced on this puzzle our Pop put together in his last years. These are his hands.

Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God and I will exalt him.”

Next Tuesday will be a photo overload from the funeral service, graveside service and reception.

Onward…

Our third container made it’s way to the yard on Monday morning. The sign was taken down Monday afternoon. We spent the night at our kids’ home north west from us. Drove over to the old house to empty out the freezer and hand over the keys on Tuesday. Our agent brought us some nice gifts and we said our goodbyes to the house. We still have exclusive access to our 44′ x 24′ shop till the end of August which is a blessing to us for sure. The heat wasn’t as bad today as yesterday which was a relief. Tomorrow we head to Colville to look at 7 houses. Maybe we’ll be able to put an offer on one of them. Time will tell. Hopefully cooler days will prevail over there, too.

This was a fun photo that popped up on Facebook from my niece Michelle taken at our Pop’s viewing.

My grandniece Avery, our grand Addy and our youngest niece, Hope. Addy really bonded with Hope. When Hope was around I was chopped liver. 🙂 It’s fun to see how little ones light up and enjoy the younger set.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all your prayers and thoughts and encouragement during this season of upheaval in our day to day life.

Camping at Home…

We are down to a two person section of our couch and a mattress on our basement floor at this old house. We still have our patio furniture on the deck so we have a table to eat at. It’s like camping around here with just a few essentials for everyday living. Once the TV and mattress are loaded we will move into son #1’s home.

From there we will make trips to son #2 for house hunting.

While we are here daughter and son in law are helping us prepare for our move along with son #1 and daughter in law.

The plus side of our mattress being moved down to the basement is how nice and cool it is down there compared to our upstairs bedroom. Cooler, darker and quieter. We’ve had several days of hot hot weather here in the Seattle area. The hottest day is suppose to be on Sunday. So thankful and grateful for our kids and how helpful they are and for our friends who have helped us out, too. Looking forward to cooler days next week!

 

Adieu to California

Our dear old Pop’s signature farewell to us. He always said it three times. A friend of our niece’s left this sign on her doorstep the day after our Pop’s funeral. Such a sweet thoughtful gift. I think all of us will be having these signs made soon.

Heading home to continue to empty out our home. We’ve got 7 days left. Thank you once again for your prayers and encouragement. I really do appreciate all of you.

When the Day of Toil is Done ~ Hymn

When the Day of Toil is Done

When the day of toil is done,
When the race of life is run,
Father, grant Thy wearied one
Rest forevermore.

When the strife of sin is stilled,
When the foe within is killed,
Be Thy gracious Word fulfilled:
Peace forevermore.

When the darkness melts away
At the breaking of the day,
Bid us hail the cheering ray:
Light forevermore.

When the heart by sorrow tried,
Feels at length its throbs subside,
Bring us, where all tears are dried,
Joy forevermore.

When for vanished days we yearn,
Days that never can return,
Teach us in Thy love to learn
Love forevermore.

When the breath of life is flown,
When the grave must claim its own,
Lord of life, be ours Thy crown,
Life forevermore.

Words: John Ellerton, 1870.

There is More to Come…

Moisi’s kids at his funeral, oldest to youngest, Kathy, Vera, Ellen, Tim, Steve, Lana and Leonard.

The next generation. Moisi’s grandchildren and great grandchildren with spouses.

It was an exceptional day of mourning and rejoicing for the life God gave to our dear old Pop.

When I get back to a place of quiet in my brain I’ll post a complete recap of our laments and our rejoicing.

California Here I Come…

…right back where I started from.

Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts, prayers and wishes for me and my family as we bury our dear old Pop and as we work on our big move across the state. I appreciate all of you and your compassion to me. This verse from the New Testament will be read at the end of our Pop’s eulogy.

James 1:12

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Summer Company

Our first summer visitors arrived in Western Washington on Tuesday June 19th. I know it wasn’t technically summer yet but they are all on summer vacation from school year responsibilities. I’m Great Auntie to Jack and Avery.

Our kids love their cousins. Our niece, Michelle, is my eldest sister’s firstborn daughter.

The girls broke away from the backyard to a local nail salon to get a fresh pedicure. It’s hard to see Avery’s glittery nails.

Time to stoke the fire and warm up the toes.

After our time at Josh and Laura’s on Wednesday, Laura took the Southern California crew for a few hour tour of Whidbey Island on Thursday. That tour ended in a ferry ride back to the mainland and we all met up at our local Mexican restaurant for dinner and a stop at our home. Avery was very sad that we are selling this old house. She’s made memories here over the years.

Before they visited us they made a stop at Dan, Jamie, and Addy’s home for a night. Addy enjoyed their visit.

Meanwhile in Eastern Washington, Addy has finally decided she enjoys spaghetti. Today is Addy’s mommy and daddy’s 3 year wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Dan and Jamie. So glad God brought you together.

We have made our flight arrangements to Southern California for our Pop/Dzeda’s funeral which we postponed to July 19th and 20th so that all the out of towners could get reasonable prices for our trips. Our pop will be buried next to our mom at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California. On Thursday evening, July 19th, we will have a viewing and on Friday July 20th at 11:00 am we will have the funeral at Rose Hills followed by a lunch/reception at Brea Baptist Church in Brea, California.

Keep the Old ~ Monday Mosaics

16265595_10212122633486947_7943960224829511106_nMake new friends but keep the old, one is silver the other gold. A week ago Monday I was able to attend the memorial service for my long time friend Heidi’s mother in Tustin, California. We had a message in Russian and a message in English. Heidi’s son, son-in-law, and brother gave eulogies and remembrances of their grandmother and mother. My brother-in-law led us in singing familiar hymns and the singing was robust with organ accompaniment.

2017-01-24-miscThe service was held at the same church that Ken and Heidi were married in back in 1978. I was her matron of honor. Heidi and I have been the best of friends since 1969. We spent countless hours in each others homes and around each of our sets of  parents and siblings. Heidi lived in Dear and my home during her engagement to Ken.

2017-01-24-misc1The photo on the top of the mosaic is of me, George (Heidi’s brother), and Heidi. The lower photos are of Dear’s brother and sister-in-law and friends of ours from our Christian Rock band years.

misc-so-cal-1-17-034Me and two of my sisters with our dear old Pop. Our extended family and Heidi’s family attended the same Russian Baptist church growing up.

misc-so-cal-1-17-032Two of my sisters with a cousin and cousins by marriage.

2017-01-24-misc2My cousin Jim with my pop, Jim’s uncle. Can you see some resemblance? Jim’s father was one of my father’s older brothers. Me and my bestie from college days, Jeanie, who married my cousin Jim.

arroyo-dr3Heidi and I had many adventures together from 1969 and on. We traveled the East Coast of the U.S. in 1970 and traveled to England with our rock band more than once. Our kids were born in alternate years, our Josh in 1979, their Nikki in 1980, our Dan in 1981 and their Nathan in 1982.  We added one more with Katie in 1985.

ventura11Our kids enjoyed their times together when they were little. We moved to Washington State in 1988 and then our visits were few and far between and the times we get together now are for events like weddings, baby showers, or funerals.

mohai70After the memorial service two of my sisters and I spent late afternoon and early evening with Ken and Heidi in their home with their kids and grandsons. So many good memories shared. It was so encouraging to see the relational dynamic within their growing family and get to know Nikki’s and Nathan’s spouses better. We loved those kids as little ones and really enjoy them now as adults. I wish I would have thought to take a photo during our time. Our hearts are with you as you miss the presence of your mother, grandmother and Gigi here on earth.

Linking up to Mosaic Monday with Maggie at Normandy Life.