Friday was Olivia's funeral. The service was beautiful. It was perfect. I can't even begin to thank all the people that helped with everything...from the pictures to the music and the luncheon and flowers, and that doesn't count those who were there before Olivia was born, Heather from Forget Me Not, Sara and Sarah from the M.I.S.S. foundation, my doctors and nurses and my family and friends...I have a whole post on thank yous coming. Without you guys, I think this would have been a lot harder to deal with.
For those who could not make it, here are a few pictures of the service.
Our siblings bought the flowers and were sweet enough to remember Brinley. She got her very own bouquet.
Brinley and her Aunt Corinne. (Corinne, thank you so much for helping with Brinley, she just loves you and it was a huge relief to me that she would at least talk to you about Olivia.)
Olivia's beautiful box, thank you mom and dad. It was perfect!
Brinley watching Olivia's box being put into the hearse.
Matt carried Olivia to her final resting place. It was really hard for him.
This is her headstone until we get a permanent one this Spring.The hardest part of the whole day is when we went to bed that night thinking about how she is all alone and it is so cold out and all we want to do is be with her and snuggle her and keep her warm. We have cried every night this past week.
It is amazing how much her life has impacted so many people. I have read so many cards and emails and letters telling me how they look at their families and realize how important they are. Time is so short and you never know what will happen. I know I will see my little Olivia again. I know that she is happy and she wants us to be happy also. So if you see me smiling and laughing and making jokes, it's because that is how Olivia would want it. I will always miss her, and I know there will be many, many times when I cry, but I have Brinley to be a mom to also. I can't just push her aside while I deal with my grieving. This week has been really hard on her.
3 comments:
what a great attitude you have! it really is incredible. That picture of Matt holding the casket is heartbreaking. And the picture of the two of you is so sweet. I know it's hard, but you two have each other to lean on.. Brinley is lucky to have such great parents.
It was a beautiful service Arah and Matt. I love knowing you are so strong and knowing YOU know that there is life after death... knowing the beautiful truths the gospel teaches us. Even though I never was able to meet your sweet little angel Olivia, I love her... Thank you for posting all these pictures...
That just made me cry like a baby. I am really emotional right now and scared. But you understand all of that and I am grateful I have you guys to talk to all of this about. It service looked so beautiful and like you had lots of people to love and support you there. We love you and matt and Brinley.
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