Saying Goodbye

This past weekend we all took a trip as a family to release Dad's ashes to his final resting place in Murrells Inlet. For as long as I can remember, he has made it known that these were his wishes. We just never dreamed that it would be so soon. Carrie set us up with a beach house in Surfside, the town we grew up in and the place (or at least one of the places) Dad still called home. Just being there in a way was very hard. It made me reflect on so many great times and left me wondering, more than ever, "Where does the time go?" It is still sinking in that he is no longer with us and sometimes I don't know how we can go on without him. We had a lot of time to enjoy being together as a family and I'm sure Dad was there with us as we played on the beach and shared many fond memories. The weather was perfect as we made our way into the inlet and I was so struck by the beauty that surrounded me. It was my first time there as an adult and it was immediately clear why this was the place he had chosen for himself. As the boat carried us away from what man had created and toward what God had created, a sense of peace and tranquility came over us. This is one of those rare places that cannot be put into words. Pristine. Breathtaking. In a way it was so difficult to put him to rest - almost like having a whole second funeral. But it was also so beautiful and is something that I will carry with me always.

Seth and Molly enjoying the beach

Dana and Domingo

"Where the ocean meets the sky, I'll be sailing..."
We all took a trip to the Surfside Flea Market, a place we would frequent when we were growing up.The flowers we chose to place on the waterMolly gets to help drive.

Ashley, Mark and Chase

Seth's turn.

The beautiful place that Dad will always be a part of.

Dana and Sophia

It's hard not to feel at peace when surrounded by such beauty.

Erika, Molly & Chase

Mark, Seth & I

Each of the children released a balloon for Papa to see from Heaven.

We were looking at balloons and Mom turned to her side to see this black and gold (Steelers colors - Dad's team!) balloon with the words "Always In Our Hearts" on it. I think it was a sign.

Mom handing out the flowers. "Uncle Rick", Dad's best friend, was there with us.

Dana and Domingo

Dan placing the ashes in the water.

The sky as we placed Dad's ashes in the Inlet.


In memory of our hero.

The strongest person I know. She amazes me more and more with each passing day.

Grandma says, ""He is now a part of every grain of sand and every wave in the ocean."

God was shining down on us that day.

As we docked the boat, we came upon this simple cross.

Afterward, we went to dinner at Benjamin's, a place we went as a family every Friday when we lived at the beach.

The Hannon name will live on.

Aunt Sandy

Dan, Erika & Chase

BFFs

Heath

Michelle and Ashley
What keeps me going

Even in our sadness, there is laughter in the air...

and beauty all around us.

The prayer Dan Said:

Heavenly Father,
You have shared with us the life of Bruce. Before he was ours, he was yours. For all that he has given us to make us what we are, for that which lives and grows in each of us, and for his live that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.

As we now offer him back into your arms, comfort us in our lonliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. Draw those of us who remain in this live closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and give us peace and joy that of which is eternal life. In your name we pray. Amen.

Dana's Reading:

"Death is nothing at all"
Written By Henery Scott Holland 1847-1918
Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral

I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old name, speak to me in the easy way you used to. Put no difference in your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed, at the little jokes we shared together. Pray, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it always was, let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.

We will never forget you.
Rest in Peace.