Visitation and Service

The visitation and service were two very long days, but we are so thankful for all who came to lend us their support. We were truly surrounded by love. Our friends had worked for hours putting together a slideshow of Alan's life that play all through the visitation and the reception after the service. Rather than flowers, there were stuffed animals all around Alan's casket, beautiful photos of Alan and our family, the Alan's Angels wall-hanging and the completed strand of Alan's Beads of Courage. The day before the visitation was the first time we were able to stretch the beads out - even with the length of the chapel at the funeral home we had to double up the strand. Alan's strand ended up being 98 feet long, made up of the 1362 beads earned from medical procedures and events as well as the special beads awarded to him for courage, travel, holidays and support.




98 feet long


The beads on display

The service was as perfect as we could have wished for, especially when the children starting coming down to the front of the sanctuary for the children's service.


Alan sitting in the lap of his beloved panda


Pastor Barz leading one of Alan's favourite counting songs during the children's service

Our only wish is that we could have cloned ourselves in order to properly greet and remember with everyone at the reception. We are so thankful for Stephanie Smith, who took photos last Saturday so we could look back on the day.


Alan's "gift" to the children attending the service

People have been asking if we will be sharing the slideshow and video of the service with those unable to attend. The video of the service is being edited and once we find a way to post them (they are too long to put on YouTube) we will share them here on the blog.