Our Bethanie was only with us a short time. It is a hard thing to write about, but her life was so important to us and we loved her so much. I have had many mixed feelings about posting on the blog, part of me wants to brag and show her off while another part of me regards her with such sacredness and reverence.
Bethanie was born at 5:08 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011. She passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2011.
Her life had purpose and meaning not just with our family but so many others. For our family we feel that our family bond is stronger then before. My love for my husband grows daily, I admire his strength and love he has for his family. My testimony of a loving God is stronger than ever. Christ's Attonement and Resurrection are real and gives me great hope and joy for my reunion with our Bethanie. I know she will return to her body and through the Attonement my sins will be forgiven and I will be able to be her mother again. I am so grateful for the time we had with her and I look forward to the time when our family will be all together again.
Bethanie had a beautiful funeral where we were supported by so many friends and family. Her little body was laid to rest in the Lehi, Utah cemetary. Each of her older siblings participated. Sadie gave the open prayer and could have ended the funeral with her simple words, "We hope we can see Bethanie again." Ellie played "The First Noel," on her viola, Luke gave a talk about his experience with Bethanie and his testimony. Tommy gave the scripture Moroni 8:12 "But little children are alive in Christ " and Lucie gave the scripture 2 Nephi 1:15 "I am encircled about eternity in the arms of His love." Her dad gave her "life sketched," a portrait of our feelings and the difference her life meant to our family. My brother and father also spoke along with our Bishop, Clyde Witham. Laron's brother Steven gave the family prayer and Laron dedicated the grave.
Joseph Smith's words give me such joy and encouragement, he said. "The Lord takes many away, even in infancy that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again."
Her life had purpose and meaning not just with our family but so many others. For our family we feel that our family bond is stronger then before. My love for my husband grows daily, I admire his strength and love he has for his family. My testimony of a loving God is stronger than ever. Christ's Attonement and Resurrection are real and gives me great hope and joy for my reunion with our Bethanie. I know she will return to her body and through the Attonement my sins will be forgiven and I will be able to be her mother again. I am so grateful for the time we had with her and I look forward to the time when our family will be all together again.
Bethanie had a beautiful funeral where we were supported by so many friends and family. Her little body was laid to rest in the Lehi, Utah cemetary. Each of her older siblings participated. Sadie gave the open prayer and could have ended the funeral with her simple words, "We hope we can see Bethanie again." Ellie played "The First Noel," on her viola, Luke gave a talk about his experience with Bethanie and his testimony. Tommy gave the scripture Moroni 8:12 "But little children are alive in Christ " and Lucie gave the scripture 2 Nephi 1:15 "I am encircled about eternity in the arms of His love." Her dad gave her "life sketched," a portrait of our feelings and the difference her life meant to our family. My brother and father also spoke along with our Bishop, Clyde Witham. Laron's brother Steven gave the family prayer and Laron dedicated the grave.
Joseph Smith's words give me such joy and encouragement, he said. "The Lord takes many away, even in infancy that they may escape the envy of man and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again."
When the saddness seems to be too overwhelming to bare, I think of the amazing reunion we will have with her on the other side of the veil. I imagine the hug she will give me and the joy of that moment.
As a family we are doing well. I read a quote from J.R. Miller that said the following:
"The happiest, sweetest tenderest homes are not those where there has been no sorrow, but those which have been overshadowed with grief and where Christ's comfort was accepted. The very memory of the sorrow is a gentle benediction that broods over the household, like the silence that comes after prayer. There is a blessing sent from God in every burden of sorrow."
This quote discribes how our home is. There is a different feeling to our home, where tears come often but peace is also right there alongside them. We are by no means "over it," nor do I think we will ever be. I think we have accepted Bethanie's death and we seem to get each other through the tears. There is still the chaos, the children still are children with their ups an downs and their varies activity, but there is also a lot of happiness, peace and joy.
Thank you to all of my family and friends. We have had such amazing support and love. The difficult things were made easier, the numerous cards, phone calls and visits have been the greatest strengths to get through the hard days. Laron and I aren't much of huggers but it is amazing how much power and strength we get from all the hugs. Thank you so much!
4 comments:
Laura, You are amazing, we love your family and your testimony of strength is amazing and strengthens mine. I am always here for you whether you want to cry or just have a laugh over a coke..Bethanie is beautiful and will never be forgotten. Thank you for sharing this since i know many tears were shed over writing it. Love you!
Such a beautiful post. I can't imagine what you are going through, but I appreciate your testimony so much. I know it was very personal to write all this, but thank you for sharing it. The reverent regard in which you hold your precious angel was very evident.
That is a great testimony and I can attest to the fact that our plan of salvation is truly helpful when going through this ordeal. The funeral was beautiful and I loved Laron's talk about all the things you were still able to do with her even though her time was short. It was a great reminder to me of the things we did have with our Alana, rather than the things that we didn't have. I know that its hard to feel this way right now, but it will be a true blessing and awesome experience to get to raise her in a perfect environment! I look forward to the day when I get to hold my baby again too. I am so glad you posted this because I often feel the same way about wanting to share with others our little angel, but at the same time, I want to reserve some information to only those who I think 'deserve' to know of her. Just today at preschool, Lucie mentioned something about her baby sister, and although she was referring to Ammie, Cali piped in..."Oh, your baby sister that went to Jesus Christ." I was shocked that Cali even remembered but then we shared with Lucie that Cali also has a sister with Jesus and Lucie's face kind of lit up. It was super sweet. I hope you all are doing well, and don't worry about trying to "get over it" as that day will never come but it will become easier to pass the days with less tears. Love to you all.
Laura,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I am praying for God to continue to cover you with his mercy and comfort as you mourn the loss of your beautiful baby girl.
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