I have been putting off writing this post because I have found it so difficult to put my feelings into words. This last Friday, I flew to Utah to be with my dear friend Leta as she laid to rest her baby girl, Katelynn Faith. She died on Sunday evening, passing peacefully from the arms of her earthly Mother to the protective arms of her Heavenly Father.
Leta and I met in New Hampshire while both of our husbands were in law school. We quickly bonded over yard sales, dumpster diving and a shared love of apple orchards. We have stayed in touch through long phone conversations and quick visits whenever we are out West.
I am so grateful to have been able to attend Katelynn's funeral and to sing with another wonderful friend from law school, (but now living in Nevada) Gail. The spirit was strong, and it was a privilege to see the way Leta and her husband Nathan came together to bury their daughter with love and grace. This wonderful talk helped me to better understand not only their grief, but their knowledge that they will be together with Katelynn someday. I love this family.
Releasing a balloon for every day of Katelynn's life on earth.
Leta and Nathan
Their older children, Nathanial and his sister Ailsa.
Learn more about our beliefs on the salvation of little children here and here.
Would you mind me asking how she passed? That's a beautiful family! It also is a comfort that she passed to a loving Heavenly Mother.
ReplyDeleteThey had a facebook page for her called Caring for Katelynn where you can read about all of the medical details. It was very much a roller coaster for their family as her condition was very rare and the doctors knew little about what she could expect for life expectancy.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing that ensign article. it was so beautifully written and truly had great insights. i appreciated how the author was raw and open in it, but also filled with faith and truth.
ReplyDeleteit did remind me of some kahihl gibran quotes that we found very comforting at the loss of our baby.
"joy is our sorry unmasked. ...And the self-same well from which your laughter rises was often-times filled with your tears.”
“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”
lots of love to you and your dear friends, leta, nathan & family. i'm so sorry for their loss.
I think you did a beautiful job putting feelings into words. I can't imagine how heart breaking that is for Leta and her husband, thank goodness that we have the truth of the gospel and know that this is not the end.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that Nathaniel was that little baby at Bryan's graduation. They have such cute children!