A beautiful day remembering a beautiful girl

Dear Sarah,
Today we buried your body and we had a memorial service to celebrate your life and that your spirit is alive in heaven.  I think you would have enjoyed the day.  Daddy and I tried to make it a day that was filled with the kinds of family traditions and activities we would have surrounded you with: teachings about Jesus and the salvation he gave us by dying on the cross, singing songs together as a family, and family and friends around to celebrate together.

We focused the burial and the memorial service around the word "hope."  We know that this world isn't all there is thanks to the work done by Jesus on the cross and His resurrection.  Maybe  you remember hearing us tell you--because Jesus took our punishment by dying and then rose again we know that even though we die that we will be with Him for eternity in heaven.  It is that promise that gives us hope that we will see you again.  Pastor Boos spoke such a beautiful message about this hope.  We also sang some songs from our bedtime routine: we sang "Thank you Jesus" at your grave, "Jesus loves me" and we got everyone at the service to sing and dance to "Making Melodies" -the song Gabe and Zach taught you when they said goodbye on your last day.  They hope you've taught Jesus the song now.  We also sang "Great is thy Faithfulness" which is what I was singing  that long night when you were still in me while I was receiving medicine to help keep you in longer.

There were small things we did as well:  You had a vase of pink and purple flowers that were just the kind of arrangement you would have gotten from your Daddy "just because" and I picked out topiary's made from pink flowers that I had wanted to make for you for your first birthday party.  Gabe designed your cakes: pink and purple roses covering them.  He and Zach are very thoughtful and would have been amazing big brothers.

We also have asked people to consider donating towards a new fund at the hospital that will help provide dresses for other little girls in the NICU who have to say goodbye to their families, just as you were given a dress from one of your nurses.  A number of people have generously given towards that fund in your name.  Our family really values serving other people and helping them feel loved and that's something we would have taught you and helped you learn.  This was one more thing that made me smile--even though you're not physically with us, service and loving others is being done in your name.

Mostly though, we would have surrounded you with people who love and care for you.  Today despite my tears, I smiled a lot because we were so overwhelmed by the love of so many people both family and friends from near and far.  You, too, would have felt happy and secure in the love of so many.

Tomorrow we will begin to figure out our "new normal" and please know that as we do, you are a part of us that we won't ever forget.  You have touched us and we will find ways in our daily life to remember and honor you.

Love,
Mom