We know you'd be with us if heaven wasn't so far away -- Fall 2018

I held onto Sedona's hand tightly.  I looked at Uncle Dean when he came over to see if we were all ready to go.  How could I be ready?  I sighed and nodded.  "Yes... let's go... it's not going to be any easier the longer we stay," I said, grief filling my voice.

I stayed by Stan and nodded to my dad.  This was the wisest thing to do.  I was not sure if I could stay here any longer... though it pained me greatly to think that I would never see Uncle Remus again.

Lincoln Matthews wrote:I did not think that was even a question.  "Yeah, Will and Lucy... they need everyone," I said.  And, in reality, I needed them.  They had become the family I never had.  And then it was my turn to say goodbye one last time.  I walked up and looked down at Remus, looking so peaceful and calm.  I took a deep breath and said, "Thank you... for everything."  That was all I could say.  It was far too little for what he and Chloe had done for me -- they were pretty much my real parents... the mum and dad I never had.

I gave a sad smile to Lucy when she came over. "I'm sorry for your loss." I said politely. I gave a reassuring smile to both before taking a few steps forward to say goodbye to Remus and to give Lucy and Lincoln some privacy. I looked at him, and he looked so peaceful. "Thank you, for everything you've done for Lincoln, and everyone else."

I hugged Lucy and took a deep breath.  "I'm the same as you," I said to her honestly.  I looked over at Juniper and the kids then back at my sister.  "We'll see you at the wake?  We plan on heading there soon."

"Thank you, June," I said as she went to say her last goodbye to my dad.  I looked over at Lincoln again and nodded.  "I know that I'm staying here until everyone has left... I think Will is, too.  It's up to you... but we were thinking his kids should be the last to leave, you know?"  I wanted Lincoln to know that, though he joined the family late, that he was still part of the family.  He was my brother.  "Ayden and Em are staying with us... but the kids are going ahead."

Cameron and I left and went to the Lupin cottage.  It seemed so empty... just knowing that Grandma and Gramps would never walk in here again.  There were so many memories, though!  Looking through the halls, walking by myself as Cam went to see what he could help with, there were all sorts of pictures posted of all of us grandkids with Grandma and Gramps.  Some of our younger drawings were still posted on walls in frames -- they always were a bit nostalgic.  Tears came to my eyes as I saw a picture of us granddaughters -- me, Ally, and Mere -- with Gramps and Grandma.  It was super cute -- and beneath that, there was one with just the boys, too.  They loved us all so much and us them.  It was going to be so hard to not have them around anymore.

I nearly ran into Elliot as she looked at pictures on the walls -- which was what I was doing.  I put my hand around her.  Uncle Remus loved all his grandkids and us kids who were technically his niece and nephew rather than grandchildren... despite our age being teh same as his other grandkids.  "He always had a special place for your family, you know," I said to her softly.

I had said the final goodbye to Remus giving James a kiss as I walked by. I was going to give him privacy as he knew where I was headed. " I'll meet you there when you're ready love." I told him as I put my cloak on and left the chapel. Heading to the Cottage as I came to it, tears clouded my vision as I got closer and closer. Here is where we are celebrating their lives with their children and grandchildren.

I went to the Lupin cottage and just looked around. This brought back so many memories, the Lupins were our only real Grandparents, we didn't see mums parents that much. She assured us it was better this way. I looked at the pictures that were set out and watched everyone remembering such a great man. My eyes started to water and I tried to hold back my tears.

I walked around the house that was quickly filling with people, but it just seemed so empty without Gramps telling stories and Grandma trying to correct those stories.  I sighed, realizing that Dona had left me to be by myself a bit.  I ended up seeing Abel.  I walked over to him.  "How are you holding up?" I asked my cousin, having a feeling that he was doing about the same as me.  And I was miserable.

I had left Leo so he could do some things on his own to get through his grief.  Basically I knew that Leo would need time with his family.  Obviously I was practically part of his family, but it was still different.  I grabbed some tea from Nana Cathie and sat own by my brothers.

"Thank you," I said to Lily when she left me to go up to Remus's casket.  I looked down at my old friend and tears blurred my vision and I felt them slide down my cheeks.  "Moony, mate... I'm so sorry.  I wish that we... I wish that we -- I -- could have talked to you before now.  Tell you that to your face... be on good terms again... I love you, mate.  You were my brother."  I took a heavy breath adn let it out slowly.  I walked away, wondering if any of this would start to feel real.  I went to the LUpin cottage and went to find Lily, which I did quickly.  I put my hand in hers and squeezed it tightly.  I hoped she knew how much I needed her; something the entire thign that happene with Remus and CHloe reminded me of every day.

I looked at Sirius, putting a hand on his arm.  "I'll let you go say goodbye," I said to him softly, kissing his cheek.

I left James to say goodbye to Remus. I had started helping Cathleen and Penelope with some things around the cottage. I found myself getting distracted by some of the photos, one in particular was summer of all of us together. Running around the pool, laughing and just being stupid. Tears came to my eyes as I wiped them quickly. Seeing James come in, he came over and squeezed my hand I leaned on him hoping he knew I would be there no matter what. I just couldn't believe they were both gone. A big piece of my heart with them. It would take a long time to even be okay. I wasn't sure how to even begin to fathom how to handle this. " I'm right here hon." I said quietly.

Parker Weasley wrote:I nearly ran into Elliot as she looked at pictures on the walls -- which was what I was doing.  I put my hand around her.  Uncle Remus loved all his grandkids and us kids who were technically his niece and nephew rather than grandchildren... despite our age being teh same as his other grandkids.  "He always had a special place for your family, you know," I said to her softly.

I jumped slightly when Parker put his arm around me, but I leaned into him comfortingly.  I smiled slightly.  "I know he did... but that was what he was like with everyone.  He made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world," I said, looking at him.  He was technically a cousin.  Aunt Penny was Gramps' sister... so that would make Parker my cousin... it was just weird.