Olivia's funeral was on August 10, 2010. It was such a beautiful service and we are grateful for everyone who participated and helped out in so many ways! We have been overwhelmed with love by everyone we know. We have received so many notes, gifts, and flowers and we are so grateful for your support and love for our sweet little girl. Thank you a hundred times over!
The service was held at Sunset Gardens Cemetery. When Ryan and I were deciding where to lay our sweet little girl, we knew that we wanted to put her somewhere pretty, somewhere we could go often and where we could feel the peace of the Spirit. We looked at a couple of places, and when I saw Sunset Gardens, I felt like this is where I wanted my baby girl to be. It has a beautiful view of the mountains and across the way, there is a statue of our Savior. The cemetery has a baby area that is separated from the rest of the cemetery by trees, which I absolutely love. I love having an area specifically for children, so all those children can be together. Something about that thought brings me peace. It was the perfect spot for Olivia.
We had a short family gathering before the graveside service where we were able to say goodbye one last time to our precious daughter. She looked so beautiful, even then. She was wrapped in the quilt that I had made for her-or half of it, rather. Half for her and half for me to hold and remember her by. I was glad I made that quilt for her so she could have a little piece of me forever. My sister's husband, Dave, made a slide show of the pictures from the hospital of Olivia that played during the family gathering. I loved looking at those pictures and remembering the time we had with our daughter. My dad ended the gathering with a family prayer and then we headed to the graveside for the service.
My dad and Ryan's dad carried the casket to the grave site. Our Bishop conducted the services. Ryan's Grandpa gave the opening prayer and then Ryan's dad said a few words about faith and the priesthood. His words definitely brought the Spirit and made me so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and that families are eternal. Our sister-in-law Brooke and her family sang a beautiful mix of primary songs. When they began singing
Families Can be Together Forever I felt the spirit very strongly. I know that because of the Savior, nothing can separate me from Olivia. She will always be mine and that is a great comfort. Following the singing, Ryan said a few words. We knew it would be hard for him to talk at that point, but we did not want to have this great service for Olivia and then not even let people get to know her a little bit. Ryan talked about our adventures with Olivia and her short life on Earth with us. From the uncertain pregnancy to the day we finally got to meet her, we were guided by God to make decisions that would be best for her. She was truly a Child of our Heavenly Father who we were privileged to spend those 37 hours with. Ryan finished the service with the dedicatory prayer, dedicating that spot of ground as a sacred place for our little girl.
There were definitely times that made me sad, but more than anything, the service was very uplifting. It provided the opportunity for each person to feel of the Spirit and gain a stronger testimony of the great eternal Plan of Happiness, for that is what Olivia taught me, among many others: That God's Plan of Happiness is the called such because it brings peace, hope, and that happiness he promises in times that seem impossible to bear.
