Honoring an Exemplary Life
On Friday Burke and I drove up to Logan for the third consecutive month (hooray!) where we spent a lovely evening with my parents and, later, a portion of my in-laws who were spending the night in Logan at my parent's home. It was fun for me to bring both sides of my family together (first time since the wedding) and enjoy their company at the same time. My mom is an incredible host and gave us the royal treatment, even waking up at 6:00 AM on Saturday morning to make us oatmeal and dutch-babies/hoot-i-nannies/German pancakes (pick your phraseology).
Saturday morning we drove to Idaho Falls for the funeral of Shane Mitchell, our dear cousin Holly's late husband. As Shane served a year and a half in Iraq, the church house was surrounded by dozens of flags, with a the beautiful stars and stripes cloaking his casket. Holly looked so small, so young - too young to be going through such a tremendous trial. However, despite the weariness and shock in her eyes, she amazed me with her strength, holding it together while greeting the hundreds who came to pay their respects to Shane. The service was moving, full of loving memories and declarations of faith. Holly decided to speak, saying she had known him best. She got up and said she wanted to speak to her son and proceeded to read a letter to little Preston, just turning 18 months. She told him about the admirable man his Father had been. She told him that he would forever have his Daddy's low hair line, bright blue eyes and over-sized head. She said she didn't know why she had been called to do this alone, but that she knew Shane would be with them every step of the way. She promised him they would be together again. It was incredibly moving and I felt so grateful for the assurance the doctrine of the LDS church gives us, that the sealing ordinances of the temple allow us to be together forever, that there is life after death, and that there is purpose in all things. Holly will have many lonely days ahead of her and moments of all-consuming grief. Yet, she testified that her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and His plan will carry her through this difficult time.
I'm so grateful we were able to make the trip and support Holly, Preston, Uncle Alma and Aunt Marie during this sorrowful time. They will be in our prayers for a long time to come.
Saturday morning we drove to Idaho Falls for the funeral of Shane Mitchell, our dear cousin Holly's late husband. As Shane served a year and a half in Iraq, the church house was surrounded by dozens of flags, with a the beautiful stars and stripes cloaking his casket. Holly looked so small, so young - too young to be going through such a tremendous trial. However, despite the weariness and shock in her eyes, she amazed me with her strength, holding it together while greeting the hundreds who came to pay their respects to Shane. The service was moving, full of loving memories and declarations of faith. Holly decided to speak, saying she had known him best. She got up and said she wanted to speak to her son and proceeded to read a letter to little Preston, just turning 18 months. She told him about the admirable man his Father had been. She told him that he would forever have his Daddy's low hair line, bright blue eyes and over-sized head. She said she didn't know why she had been called to do this alone, but that she knew Shane would be with them every step of the way. She promised him they would be together again. It was incredibly moving and I felt so grateful for the assurance the doctrine of the LDS church gives us, that the sealing ordinances of the temple allow us to be together forever, that there is life after death, and that there is purpose in all things. Holly will have many lonely days ahead of her and moments of all-consuming grief. Yet, she testified that her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, and His plan will carry her through this difficult time.
I'm so grateful we were able to make the trip and support Holly, Preston, Uncle Alma and Aunt Marie during this sorrowful time. They will be in our prayers for a long time to come.
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