SLC Cemetery

After school on Wednesday Leslie, Julie and I headed for Utah to attend the Women's Conference on BYU campus. We stayed at Marci's house in Highland which is about 30 minutes from Provo. Becky, Eva, and Kim also stayed at Marci's. Kristie met us for dinner Thursday night in SLC at the Cheesecake Factory. Julie's sister-in-law, Des Olsen, joined us for the conference and dinner on Thursday as well. It was a fun time and also very inspirational.  Julie said being in Utah brought her more peace than any other time since the accident.  I am very glad we were able to go together and especially glad that Julie's experience there felt peaceful.

On Friday Julie and I headed for the Salt Lake City Cemetery and to Larkin's headstone showcase in Sandy, Utah to pick out the headstones for Sheldon and Jace's graves. Although it was a difficult process, once again Julie made excellent choices to honor Sheldon and Jace. Since Melanie and Heather were not able to be in SLC for the second funeral and interment, I especially wanted them to see the following pictures. This is a sacred place, and I am hopeful these pictures will somehow evoke from any who view them the religious and spiritual implications Julie and I feel as we mourn the loss of those we love so deeply.

The main entrance into the cemetery in SLC.

This is the street sign inside the cemetery closest
to Sheldon and Jace's graves.

This is the view from the car looking towards
Sheldon and Jace's graves with the "U"
in the background.

This is a close-up view.  Sheldon's
Aunt Dorte had been there a week or so
earlier to place flowers on their graves.

Looking down the hill

Looking down the hill at an angle

Looking right;
You can see Julie walking towards the car
in the far right side of this picture.

Looking up

We left the cemetery to buy flowers and then
returned.  I bought a panda vase with a
green plant for Jace and blue flowers
for Sheldon.  Julie bought white roses.

A closer view of our flowers and plant

An even closer view of our flowers and a sweet
reminder that Jace loved pandas.

Julie sitting near Sheldon and Jace's graves

I am sure Sheldon is happy that he is so close
to the "U" on the mountain.

This is the burial site for Sheldon's father which
is also in the SLC Cemetery.

Saying Good-Bye For Now

Some things feel too sacred, too personal, and too overwhelming to blog about. That's how I felt about the passing of Sheldon and Jace on March 17, 2012. I also thought that so much had already been written there wasn't anything else for me to possibly say. Now that five weeks have gone by I feel like I want to write something although I do so with a heavy heart.

I love Sheldon and Jace, and I feel sad that they are gone. However, I know in the deepest part of my soul that I will see them again. They are together in heaven and most likely are involved in missionary work. I think they are the best missionary companions heaven has ever had.

To Sheldon I want to express my love to him for being a wonderful son-in-law. He was always fun to be around. He teased me constantly especially about my fear of mountain lions and other dangerous animals we might meet while hiking in Oregon. Sheldon always could spot a deal and was always looking for a sale. On March 17, 2012, I texted Sheldon while I was at Winco in LV to let him know that Powerade was on sale for 58 cents a bottle. He texted me back within a few seconds with these words, "That's not 38 cents like we got last year but still a great price." I'm so glad I had that last text exchange with him and it was about something we both loved; namely, a delicious drink at a great price! Sheldon and I enjoyed talking about the Gospel as both of us were the Gospel Doctrine teachers in our own wards at one point. He was a good teacher, and I loved attending his classes when we visited in Oregon. 

To Jace I want to express my love to him for being a wonderful grandson. I will never forget watching Sheldon and Julie go through the adoption process and that most precious moment when Jace was sealed to Sheldon and Julie in the Portland temple. Jace was incredibly handsome. I loved looking at him. His eyes were so dark brown and his eyelashes were incredibly long. His skin was the most beautiful olive color. Jace was definitely handsome. He was blessed with a sweet, tender little personality. When he cried, he always had huge tears on his cheeks. It never seemed to me that he faked a cry when I saw all those tears rolling down his face. I am so glad he loved his T-T's and that they comforted him so much. I remember one day when he was visiting us in Las Vegas he ran outside when he saw a gecko on the back wall. When I followed him out the back door he said, "Gecko." I was so surprised that a little two-year old knew that word. He was a smart little boy, and it was fun watching him grow and learn to speak. I also remember standing in the back yard for hours on end watching airplane after airplane fly overhead. He loved watching the airplanes, and I loved watching him enjoy them.

To Julie I want to express my love to her for being such a wonderful daughter, wife, and mother. Julie is struggling with this loss, but I know her testimony and love from family and friends will sustain her. She is an amazing person. May she feel the love I have for her and the love I know God is sending her way. 

I will always cherish Jace's smile and laughter.

Sheldon was as nice, warm
and kind as he was handsome.
He had incredibly blue eyes too!

Julie selected beautiful caskets and floral arrangements. 
She planned two amazing funerals to honor
Sheldon and Jace.  One was held in
Shelton, WA and the other was
held in SLC, UT.

I decided to order blue and green balloons for the
cemetery.  I know those are Sheldon and Jace's
favorite colors plus I know how much Jace
loved balloons.  These were for them as we said
good-bye for now at the cemetery.

Easter Morning

"He Lives" by Artist Simon Dewey

Easter has always been a special religious holiday for me, but it is especially meaningful in light of the events that have transpired in our family in recent weeks.  Today at church the Sacrament Meeting program had a quote from our beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson which I would like to include in my blog today.  It expresses how I feel about the Savior knowing Jesus Christ, my older brother, gave his life so all may live again.

President Monson said, "With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift up my voice in testimony as a special witness and declare that God does live.  Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh.  He is our Redeemer.  He is our Mediator with the Father.  He it was who died on the cross to atone for our sins.  He became the first fruits of the Resurrection.  Because He died, all shall live again.  'Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: "I know that my Redeemer lives!" '  May the whole world know it and live by that knowledge."