On Memorial Day Doug, Rachel and I went to visit Elizabeth's grave. It is so comforting to know that although her body rests here on earth, her spirit is very much alive. And, even though we cannot see her, I know that she watches over the family.
So why do we visit her grave?
We visit her grave to remember her and to feel closer to her. We visit her grave to clean it up and show our love for her. We visit her grave to help Rachel understand and remember that she has a sister.
(Or at least she will understand when she gets older.)
When Doug and I got married we definitely did not expect to be choosing a headstone for our firstborn child 9 short months later. It was bittersweet the first time we saw it. It will always mark a special place for us. We chose to represent the eternal nature of our family with the image of the Salt Lake Temple. The butterfly was special to us because we had prepared her room with butterfly accents. But, more than that, butterflies represent transformation, life, beauty and flight. We know that Elizabeth soars. Plus, my Aunt Susan sings a song, written by my cousin Glen, that played in my head while we were in the hospital. She sang it at the funeral.
"Butterflies" was inspired by a story my Grandmother Bates told. She and Granddad lived in Hawaii. One day she was looking out her window and saw a huge flock of butterflies on her bushes. She was thrilled. A few minutes later it began to rain and she worried about the butterflies. But, when the sun came back out so did they. Butterflies wait, clinging under the leafs during rainstorms. The lyrics are:
"Once in a while it's a hard life.
Hard times come and you're full of strife.
Just hold on with all your might.
You'll get through the night
with me by your side.
Don't you know I love you, and I will see you through this life.
So, where, where do the butterflies go
when the rain falls on their wings?
And what, what do the two of us do
when the storm comes to our lives?
Do we run and hide?
Don't fly away when the storm blows.
Fold in your wings, and don't let go.
Just hold on with all your might.
We'll get through the night.
We'll be side by side.
And you know I love you, and I will see you through this life.
So, where, where do the butterflies go
when the rain falls on their wings?
And what, what do the two of us do
when the storm comes to our lives?
We'll be side by side.
My Aunt Susan, wrote a song inspired by Elizabeth and her own grandson, Michael Cameron. She sang it at Elizabeth's funeral as well. Here are some of the lyrics.
"I would have shown you butterflies and flowers everywhere.
I would have sung you lullabies, and knelt with you in prayer.
But you taught us more, my little child, of beauty and of love
For you were here just a little while and had not forgotten Heaven.
...You told us God lives in Heaven.
We are His children.
He sent us here to live by faith,
and trusted us to follow Jesus.
And then without a word you showed us life.
You gave us strength to say, goodbye.
You testified that we would meet again.
...And it will be just a little while
'til we will meet in Heaven."
We love you Elizabeth! We miss you! We remember you! We can't wait to see you again.
