Celebrating Robert H. Kennedy - Our Final Farewell

Our brave pallbearers.
Photo Credit: Paul Buceta

The steps towards honoring my husband on his last journey have been many, often labored and weighed down by pain, grief and shock. Somehow though there were moments of brilliance too.  Yesterday entering the church with Robert and my family and friends around to give respect to him, I faltered. It seemed impossible to me that I would have to walk down the aisle behind the coffin of my beloved man now gone. The tremendous weight of it was more than I could bear. But I could feel Robert with me steadying me. He always had that way with me and knew exactly when I needed it most. I thought hard about the two of us having had so much together, smiling at the thought of the daffodils from our hill that I had placed in the casket along with the note and reading glasses (he might need them) that would keep him company. I found my courage and walked on. We girls will be alright Robert. We will.

Honoring Bob.
Photo Credit: Paul Buceta

Chelsea's boyfriend, Brendan MacDonald, piped our procession in, playing Highland Cathedral accompanied by Kiersten and Kelsey-Lynn in their kilts performing highland dance steps. This magnificence was fit for our king and carried us into the church for the service that would remind us of the treasure Bob was to us all. Chelsea, Rachel and I read passages during the ceremony. The crowd sat together feeling such love and sadness at the same time. When the words were over it was again time to take Bob to his final resting place. Brendan piped us out of the church with a powerful version of Amazing Grace. He played so beautifully. I can't hear the pipes without crying so of course .... I was.

Our beautiful piper, Brendan.
Photo Credit: Paul Buceta

Once at the cemetery we heard a final prayer and a glorious rendition of Bells of Dunblane and at that moment the sun broke through the sky in a blaze. Why is it that things can be so beautiful and so painful at the same time?

Robert was placed in the same cemetery where his son Braden was laid to rest just a year ago so we went to that gravesite and Brendan once again played Amazing Grace for him. This part of the day was coming to an end.

My pillars of strength: Yfat Reiss-Gendell, Silvie Bordeaux & Franca Pedulla.
Photo Credit: Paul Buceta

After the service friends and family joined us at our home in Caledon to celebrate. I found myself longing for this opportunity to honor Bob and his many accomplishments, paintings, stories and more. Two hundred of us spent the afternoon toasting him. The colors pink and purple were everywhere from napkins to flowers to men's pocket squares and ties, and drinks. The champagne was pink, Bob, and you would have loved it.

Toasting my beloved husband.
Photo Credit: Paul Buceta

We salute you! We love you! And we will never forget you Bob Kennedy.

Farewell!