December 29, 2022 - West Coast Memorial Service and luncheon for Bill Dodson
Journal Entry on Caringbridge.com by Sandra Dodson — December 29, 2022
Yesterday was a wonderful, exhausting day! So many people helped pull it off. Thanks Eli and Liza Joy for standing by me through the whole day. Thanks Andy for the words of the eternal in this temporary passage of life. Thanks Janice, for a quiet place to rest in Bakersfield when I needed it these days. AND Craig and Elma Johnson who have opened their home to Eli and I in Tehachapi these days. It's been awhile since I've run up and down the mountain to/from Tehachapi as often—2002, I think, when I worked at the Bakersfield airport. Thanks Jimmy and Robin and Andrew and Megan for opening your homes for the clan to gather. Thanks Tom and Denise for coming this long way and bringing Mom Dodson to gladden our hearts. Thanks Melissa and Justine for all the meals and dishes you made and washed for the family. Thank you Mark for sharing your memories of U.Bill. Thanks to Michael and Journey for coming from afar and representing all the work mates and friends Bill has made in his career. Thanks Dan and Cam for your friendship and sharing with Bill your love of flying all these years. Thanks Chuck and Jan Burwell for also not counting the miles, and coming to help this missionary kid with her grief. Thanks to ALL (I dare not list your names lest I leave someone out!) who took time out of your busy holiday schedule to come and remember Bill with me. Your hugs and smiles and PRESENCE give me such joy.
And then there was the lunch! WOW. Thanks pastors and elders and staff of Country Oaks Baptist Church who provided the place and food. A BIG THANK YOU to Doug and Susan Donckels who prepared a table before us and then cleaned it all up after we left, with the help of Rachel and Lucas. (I guess the feast in heaven goes on and on so there is no cleanup?) You truly made us family. Thank you to Yvonne for your love and willing hands. Thanks to Charlotte and Jerry Mason who cared enough to come. Charlotte, you looked beautiful. Thanks Evelyn for making a slideshow of Bill's footprint in this world, and Mike who got it to show at the lunch. Also, thanks Mike for the center pieces. Bill would have had long talks with you about each and every aircraft!!! Thanks Sewells, Bonnie and Andrew and Rylie and Emily and Jahseh! YOU CAME!! Even with the mixup, to support Liza and by extension, me. Thank you. And "thank you" is not a big enough word to express how grateful I am that you took Liza in when she needed it.