Grandma's Funeral.

Grandma's funeral was to be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015. I had plane tickets to fly to Utah on February 25th because Emerson was coming home from his mission. But the second I found out the funeral was to be on the 21st I knew I had to somehow get to Utah earlier. After many hours online and on the phone we ended up purchasing new tickets with miles instead of using our current flights because it was cheaper to do that. Luckily we'll have some flight credit to use in the future. But mostly I was just relieved that I would be able to be at my grandma's funeral.

My grandma had prepared a little box of her things and funeral plans before she died. As family was looking through this they found that she had requested I play my violin at her funeral. Upon hearing the news I was a bit shocked because I hadn't played my violin since I was a junior in high school, which was around 9 years ago.  You could say I was freaking out a little. The family knew this and so  they said that I didn't have to worry about it. But I knew I wanted to play because that is what my grandma wanted.

So we flew in the day before the funeral at around 6:00 pm. We rushed to my parents house so I could practice the piece at least a few times before my mom's best friend Rebecca Mortenson, who was going to accompany me, came over to practice with me.  I did not have my violin in Oregon so I only had a few hours to practice before I would have to perform. There was a viewing that night that I missed but Olivia was able to go. 

On Saturday as we all arrived at the funeral I could not believe how strong the spirit was throughout the building.  I spent some time saying hi to everyone and running through my piece one final time and then went in to the viewing room.  I was definitely trying to procrastinate going in there because I knew that is where I would see not only my grandma but my grandpa as well. And my heart broke for him. He loved her so dearly and had entirely dedicated himself to her care during her last few years.  She was his best friend, his only love, and she was no longer here. I just didn't think I could bear seeing him. The moment I walked in to the room and saw grandma with grandpa sitting right next to her I lost it. I tried to pull myself together before going up to him to give him a hug but I couldn't.  He was the brave one. 

Grandma was beautiful. It was the first time I've seen her not looking back at me with her beautiful smile that spoke of the unconditional love she had for me. The viewing was perfect. Grandma had written out her final words, her testimony, that she wanted read to us grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her last words were everything I thought they would be coming from grandma. She said over and over again that the gospel is true and begged us to teach her posterity of its truthfulness. To always remain strong. She told us she loved us.

The spirit was so strong in the room. There was so much faith and love coming from every member of the family. It was also a blessing that Emerson and my cousin Matthew were able to Skype from their missions so that they could be a part of everything. The viewing ended with our final goodbyes. I think the hardest part for me was watching my grandpa and aunts and uncles say goodbye to their wife and mother. 

We all followed the casket into the chapel where the services would begin.

The spirit continued to be felt strongly as each child got up and gave a short talk of memories of their mother. In between a few of the talks it was my turn to go up and play the violin. I played the song Ashokan Farewell. It is truly one of the most beautiful songs. I was so nervous but kept telling myself that I was doing it for grandma. That no matter how I played grandma would think it was the most beautiful thing ever. So I played, I don't remember much except for the peace I felt as I finished because I knew she was happy and so proud of me. 

My grandpa was able to share his testimony. It was simple, yet the most powerful testimony I have ever heard. I could feel with all my heart that the church was true as my grandpa bore testimony of it. How blessed I am to have such strong grandparents who have always taught us grandchildren to live the gospel.  Although they did teach us by words they mostly taught through example. 

The services ended with Kia Kamai singing the song Jesu Me Kanaka Wai Wai. A song that meant a lot to my grandma and grandpa. They served a mission in Hawaii and since then have always had a special place in their hearts for all things Hawaii. 

Here are the words to the song in English:

Let me walk through Paradise with you Lord.

Take my hand and lead me there. 

All my earthly treasures I would gladly give.

Teach me how to love, how to share.

Greed and lust and vanity were mine Lord.

'Til I found your love divine.

Now on my knees, I pray that I will find a way. 

Let me walk through Paradise with thee.

A oe O my Lord, my Savior lead me down the long, long road

Faith, hope and trust and charity before thee.

Let me walk through Paradise with you.

As the song ended and her casket was carried out he began to sing the song Aloha Oe.

This song means so much to me and the entire family. I remember we used to sing this song when my grandparents were on their mission. 

We would sing, "Aloha Oe Aloha Oe please bless our grandparents on their mission Aloha Oe Aloha Oe until we meet again."

We all drove out to the Farmington cemetery where we would have the graveside service.

The hardest part for me was seeing my grandpa begin to walk back to the car after the service and then stop turn around and walk back to her casket. He took off his beautiful lei that he had around his neck and gently placed it on her casket. All while saying, "grandmother would have wanted these." It was an act of true love. And for everyone who knows my grandparents knows how beautiful their relationship was and how much they loved each other. 

We all picked little bouquets of flowers from all the arrangements to take home because that is what grandma would have wanted. 

We went back to the church and had a lovely luncheon.

It was an unforgettable day. A day I will remember and cherish forever.

Here are some pictures:

Aunt Melissa and Olivia at the viewing.

This picture and the following ones are of the tables set up with pictures in remembrance of her and the program for the funeral.

This is my favorite picture of my grandparents.

I love you grandma.

I will do everything in my power to live my life in such a way to honor you.

I will teach my children the gospel. They will know my strong testimony and they will know yours. 

Aloha Oe Until we meet again.