Remembering Alana

I was able to attend Alana's funeral service today. Justin had to miss it because of a work career fair that he had registered for months ago, he was very sad he couldn't come with me.

Anyways, the funeral was beautiful. There was a slideshow of pictures going, and there were flowers everywhere! Alana was in a beautiful white dress with all her stuffed animals around her.

After the pastor said a few words and read a scripture, he said there were a few family members who had some things to say and then they would allow other members of the congregation to come up if they wanted to.

After an uncle, a grandma and a grandpa went, the pastor asked if there was anyone else who wanted to come up. I was inwardly excited at the opportunity to say something.

When I said my name, there were a few "a-ha" faces. When I said I was Brigham's mom, there were a lot more. I briefly explained how my son had the same condition, was her NICU neighbor, and had passed away after 20 days (only 2 weeks before Alana). I shared my feeling of Brigham and Alana's pre-mortal friendship and now post-mortal friendship. I truly believe there is something that Trent & Christi and Justin & I need to learn from each other.

I was hoping to be more inspirational, or spiritual, or comforting in my thoughts, but I was glad to be able to attend anyways. We've built a friendship with the Larsons that we'll have forever.

Alana's funeral was held only about a mile from Brigham's cemetery so I went there afterward and got to spend a few minutes by myself at his grave. It's so beautiful there...