Service & Burial

Well, today was Carleigh's last visitation, her service, and then her burial. I was a little unsure of how the day would go but there is no doubt that everything was beautiful. God gave us a nice, sunny day when just the day before it was windy and rainy. I thought that the whole day would be really tough on me but, yet again, I was surprised at my own strength. God's grace and everyone's prayers were truly with us! I had my share of tears but nothing like I had expected.

The visitation was from 10-11 am. We got there around 9:15 am. I set up some of Carleigh's stuff on a table for people to see. I set out her scrapbook (I had gotten a few pages done), her hand and foot imprints, her baby book, her photo album with the maternity and ultrasound pictures, and Carleigh's toy box from my Aunt Becky and Uncle Buck. Everything was lying on the quilt the hospital gave me.

Once I got everything set out I went into the sanctuary of the church and got Carleigh. I held her the entire visitation and service in her fuzzy pink blanket. We had a lot of people come to both the visitation and the service. The service started out with Pastor Mark praying and reading Carleigh's obituary, with a few personal touches. Next, the slideshow was shown and it was just so wonderful! It had pictures from Carleigh's US, my maternity photos, and lots of pictures leading up to her birth to the days after. The pictures were set to the songs I Will Carry You by Selah, Glory Baby by Watermark, and With Hope by Steven Curtis Chapman. My Uncle Buck spoke for a little bit and like always it was perfect and so well thought out. Our friend Andy read a poem written by Anthony's Uncle John and then Pastor Mark read a letter written by Anthony's sister Chantel. They both did a very good job. Pastor Mark spoke for a little bit and read Pslam 23 and then the song He Will Carry Me by Mark Schultz was played. The service ended in prayer. Everyone was dismissed by row and came forward to pay their respects. After everyone was through it was time to put Carleigh in her casket. That was hard to do. I took off her white crochet hat and replaced it with the one that went with her burial outfit. It was too big on her but it didn't matter. I took off her little pearl bracelet and her cross necklace. We placed a little heart in her casket. It was given to us by my Uncle Dan and Aunt Lisa and their family. It was a matching bigger heart that Anthony and I keep. I pulled up her blanket Anthony's Grandma made and we gave her lots of kisses. Brian helped us close the casket and we stood there for a few moments before turning around and going outside to wait for her. Anthony's brother Todd and my brother-in-law Jason were pallbearers and they brought Carleigh out and put her in the hearse. (All the while Ashley is taking pictures for us and we had the service videotaped.)

Anthony, me, and Kyndra plus the grandparents rode in the limo behind the hearse to the cemetery. We got there and we waited for Todd and Jason to get Carleigh out of the hearse and take her over to her plot. We followed them and I sat down in one of the chairs with Anthony beside me. My mom was on the other side of me. After everyone had gathered Pastor Mark read some scripture and prayed. Everyone was told they were welcome to return to the church for a dinner. Everyone stuck around for a little bit and people came up to hug us and such. Finally, Anthony and I stood up and went back to the limo and then everyone else started to go back to their cars. I actually could've sat there probably all day. Beside the cemetery there are horses and 2 of the horses came over to the fence and stood there while everyone was there and then when we were leaving they also turned to leave. It was neat to see that.

The dinner was good. There was lots of food (thank you!) and a cake made by Angie from my church (I love her cake!). We had lots of people come back for the dinner. After everyone was pretty much gone we packed everything up and went back home.

What should have been such a sad day for me really didn't feel like that at all. Yes, I cried for my daughter because I miss her and I always will until I see her again but the joy I feel for being blessed with such a special daughter will always overshadow my sadness. Mommy loves you Carleigh!