Lots of people pictures

I guess you don't need to see private photos of the ashes interring ceremony at the Morioka cemetery...  I do want to say that watching Martha pour the ashes into the grave confirmed my suspicions that cremation in Japan and cremation in the States is very different!  (Remember last August when Tetsu's mother was cremated?  The Japanese cremation ends in BONES while Martha definitely brought ASHES from the States!)

The verse on the headstone reads,

Rejoice always.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks.
          1 Thessalonians 5:16

After the ceremony we all headed back to the Zenrinkan Christian Center where the Lammers' friends and students gathered for a celebration party...  What absolute fun that was for me and I think for Martha and her family!  People I hadn't seen in nearly 40 years I'd spot across the room and call out...

"H-san?"

"Tanya-sensei?"
There were a lot of question marks and scratching of heads trying to figure out who was who...  A big, happy reunion for so many of us!  

I recognized both these ladies as two of the students from a women's class I'd had just before I got married.

Tetsu wanted to wear kimono at our wedding.  I wanted to wear a wedding dress...  The ladies of the class figured out a way that I could inexpensively wear a kimono for part of the wedding reception.  One lady loaned me her kimono, another lady loaned me a brocade obi (belt).  Someone loaned me the silk brocade slippers, another the embroidered collar... And somebody else dressed me!  I think it was the lady in the kimono in the previous photo that loaned me her obi on that day so long ago!  None of us could remember!

I had a wonderful few hours renewing old acquaintances and hearing about how the Lammers impacted so many people's lives.  By the time the afternoon was over my eyes and nose were red and dripping.  So many wonderful people who have blessed my life!

This photo was taken the next day when we got to have a quick lunch with Martha and her daughter.  On the right is my good friend Nobuko-san and her husband (who live off in the mountains so it is hard to get in touch with them...  No wi-fi or cell service!)

I'm so glad we got to see Martha again!  She is amazing.  Even at 93, even after living the past 30 years in the States, she has no problem with the Japanese language or remembering our past adventures and conversations together.