a resting place

Josh has a younger sister that passed away at a very young age, Jessica. 

She was 4.

Since meeting Josh and finding this out I have thought about Jessica often and about what she would be like if she were alive today. I always wonder if the family dynamics would be different or stay the same. I wonder how tall she would be  and how we would get along and I pretty much figure she would look exactly like Sandi and Angela.  

This weekend we finally made it to her resting place. We have made several attempts to go visit but time just ends up escaping us and we never seem to make it.  

Memorial Day was the perfect day to go and since we planned this weekend getaway with NO shopping (which is actually quite hard for me) and only relaxing beach or park related activities the cemetery was a perfect place to go.  Ken thinking ahead, as per usual, said we should go around 11 or 12 after the memorial services were over so we could enjoy our time there.  I'm glad we listened to Ken we got to the memorial just as it was letting out so we still had the exhilaration of seeing old war vets in their polished attire and our beautiful nation's flag displayed prominently on almost every grave but none of the commotion of hundreds of people.  

I love the red white and blue and have a soft spot for old flags.  I would like some day to have a hallway or an office of framed vintage flags that once belonged to family members proudly displayed in my home. 

We made our way through the windy narrow road of the cemetery to the spot where Jessica's mortal body lay to rest.  It over looks the Newport valley and is quite serene and very peaceful. Such a calming feeling came over me that I wasn't expecting.  Ken, Sandi, and Josh were very quiet.  The only one making noise was Chamberlain, asking questions of why are we here what is this place etc... 

I love this part of being a mother where I get to explain to him that this is Daddy's sister Jessica and this is where Jessica's body is laid to rest.  I loved then asking him where do you think her spirit is?  I loved even more that he was able to answer; "with Jesus."  I love these small teaching moments of the atonement. I know it was nothing monumental like maybe reciting a scripture or something but his answer confirmed to me that he knows something is going on and we aren't just matter floating in space. 

We didn't stay long just enough to soak in the feeling and reflect on where we are headed in this life and what or in this case who we have waiting for us in the next.  

Im am grateful for this chance we had to go as a family to her grave.

Families can be Forever.