We decided it would be best to have a smaller, intimate graveside service to honor our little boy. We held the service on Saturday, June 16, 2012. It was difficult to plan a service within a matter of 4 days, but everything came together nicely and I feel very comfortable with it all. We spent the morning at the mortuary dressing our baby boy and enjoying being able to hold him one last time. We brought a basket of gifts for him with us that we placed in the casket. The kids each wrote him a letter and colored him pictures. I wrote him a letter as well and gave him a little stuffed lamb. Jason wrote his testimony down for him in a little Book of Mormon and gave it to him with a highlighter (which I thought was really cute). We gave him a picture of our family to remind us all that 'Families are Forever'. Jason and Caden wore matching tie clips with a Temple on them and we put one on Jackson as well. Caden loved matching with his little brother! I wanted to put something in there that represented my two miscarriages as well. Those babies were important to me too and I consider them a part of our family. We tucked two little angel charms in next to Jackson to represent his two other angel siblings that were lost too soon. One of the hardest things about the miscarriages was not having anything to bury. This helped bring me closure for those lost babies. Overall, it was a tender, beautiful experience that we got to share as a family
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The service at the cemetery was beautiful as well. I really loved the fact that it was small and intimate with only close family. Our bishop conducted and said some kind words. We wanted the service to be mostly music. I find music to be very healing at times like this. We sang 'I know That My Redeemer Lives' for the opening hymn and my sister and cousin sang a beautiful rendition of 'Where Can I Turn For Peace'. The kids sang 'I Am a Child of God' and then we all sang 'Families Can Be Together Forever'. After that we had family tributes. It was nice hearing everyone say such nice things about our little boy who has already touched so many lives in such a short time. We sang 'Abide With Me Tis Eventide' for the closing hymn. I really felt the spirit there. I know Jackson was present too. It was a beautiful experience for all of us.
There is a quote that I LOVE from the Prophet Joseph Smith who lost several babies in infancy as well. We put it on the program and on Jackson's temporary grave marker along with a poem that I really like.
'The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on the earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.'
To the Child of My Heart
O precious, tiny sweet one,
you'll always be to me.
So perfect, pure and innocent
just as you were meant to be.
We waited and longed for you
to come and join our family.
We never had the chance to play,
to laugh, to rock, to wiggle.
We long to hold you, touch you
and listen to you giggle.
But now you're gone . . .
but yet you're here. You are
our sorrow and our joy,
there's love in every tear.
Just know our love goes deep
and strong we'll forget you never.
The child we had, but never had,
and yet will have forever.
I am so grateful that we got to honor our little Jackson this way. It was a beautiful day! He will always hold a special place in our family.
1 comment:
What a lovely service for Jackson. It looks like such a peaceful place to have all of your spots reserved, too. I love the basket of gifts you gave him, especially the Book of Mormon and highlighter gift.
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