Anthony Lujan Photography Blog

Today was a very tough day as we lay my Grandfather Frank into his final resting place next to his beloved wife, my Grandmother Nada.

I want to share with my family and friends who could not join us today some of the photographs I was able to take under emotional tears.

I have listed what prayers were read and what my sister Julia and I had specially said and read as we pay respect to our Grandfather.

My sister Julia started out reading:

Wisdom 3 – THEY ARE IN PEACE

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall
touch them.  They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going
forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.

For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full
of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings
he took them to himself.  In the time of their visitation they shall
shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall
judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their
King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall
abide with him in love:  Because grace and mercy are with his holy
ones, and his care is with the elect.

I was second reading:

PSALM 23

R:  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside still waters,
He restores my soul.

R:  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

R:  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

R:  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Father Tony stepped in and read:

I didn’t have the strength or courage to stand up and give a eulogy for my grandmother. This time I didn’t want to miss my second chance. Here is what I wrote and shared with everyone:

A few months ago I wrote on my blog about my grandfather and how he was the inspiration to my photography. My grandfather’s love for his roses inspired me.  At one point my grandfather had over 50 rose trees in the yard making it a beautiful sight in the spring.

I remember being a small child holding an enormous rose in my hands. Later on as an adult the roses never changed as they were still enormous and even more beautiful.

There were two times when I lived with my grandparents. Nothing more pleasing to me then going outside and photographing the yard. There was always something to capture out their. I would come in and share with them what I had captured. They were always amazed on the things I had found.

When I’m asked about whom or what has inspired me, I say the whom, is my grandfather and the what, are his roses. The love and attention he gave to the roses made them turn into something spectacular.

In 1992 I had done something that deeply disappointed my grandparents. For the first time I remember making them cry. This was a breaking point in my life the lowest I have ever been. I vowed to myself I had to change and make them proud once again.

A few years later I remember the joy in my grandfather’s eyes when I told him I wanted to be a hairstylist. Finally his grandson was going to learn a trade. Something that was important to him. In 1995 they both came to graduation holding their heads high. I continued to cut their hair until the end.

In 2007 I had my first photography exhibit. It was at this very exhibit did I get to not only see but hear how proud my grandparents were. This was a defining moment for me. Once again I had the two most important people in my life holding their heads high proud of their grandson.

I know who I am today because of them. It was like the roses they nurtured me and love me unconditionally. They allowed me to blossom and become a better man. I like to think that I have my grandfathers joking personality and peoples skills while having my grandmother’s love and passion.

I thank them each day for being part of my life and instilling these traits. I will forever miss them and hope they come and visit me in my dreams. I know they are proud of who I turned out to be.

I love you so very much and in my heart is peace, Peace knowing you are both together forever! Thank you for loving and nurturing me!

Your loving Godson & Grandson ~ Anthony

My sister Julia read a poem she had found:

MISS ME  by Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959)
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free!
Miss me a little – but not for long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
For this journey that we all must take
And each must go alone;
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.

The services were beautiful! The skies above were blue with white puffy clouds. My mom asked that I help her in releasing one of two doves which symbolized both my grandparents. After our release 20 more doves were released. A peace and calm set in watching the doves take flight.

May my grandparents rest in peace as they are with each other once again!  I love you both and miss you terribly! I know I will see you when my time has come. But for now, please watch over me and visit me in my dreams.

Anthony Lujan Photography
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It’s been 2 months, 6 days since my grandmother passed away. I miss her everyday as she has acted as mother figure to me. It’s taken me a while to gather my thoughts and figure out how I was going to share her legacy through my life with her. So I thought I would take it in a few stages. I will start here at the end and work my way into my life with a loving Grandmother.

My Grandmother Nada Kliebert died on September 27, 2009 at the age of 78. She was in the hospital for 13 days. 6 days being observed and 7 days on life support. She had a huge infection inside her stomach cavity that made her body toxic.

I’ll begin with her last 13 days with us.

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