I recently returned home from an extended-stay in my hometown in Illinois over the holidays. Unfortunately, my aunt had passed away on the evening of Thanksgiving, and my family waited until I was able to come home for Christmas to hold the service at the cemetery. Julie, my aunt, had Down's Syndrome and lived in an institution for most of her life. They held a memorial service for her at the home which was attended by many of the other residents and Julie's caretakers, but it was only me, my mother, grandfather, and step-grandmother at the graveside service back in Springfield. It was a rainy, but not too cold, day, and she was buried next to my grandmother and my uncle Jeff. Here are a few shots from the day:
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