The curtain behind the casket is where we buried Camille.
We buried Camille indoors in a mausoleum. We wanted to have our own graves next to hers. We wanted to be comfortable when we visited her grave, not hurried because we were baking in the Vegas heat. It is quiet inside and air-conditioned. It is peaceful.
Last Sunday we went to visit Camille's grave. This was our second visit since the funeral. The only marker for her grave still looks like this:
I look forward to the day they get her marker put up with her picture on it and a vase we the girls can put treasures in for her.
So, last Sunday we were at the mausoleum sitting on a couch there facing Camille's grave. The mood was thick and peaceful. I turned to Sabrina and out of curiosity asked her if she had heard any more messages from Camille. (She has, in the past 7 weeks, relayed to me some simple truths she has heard Camille whisper to her mind and heart.)
"No, nothing." she said. Then about 30 seconds later she turned back to me and said, "Oh wait. I just got one."
I smiled at how promptly this prompting came to her. Convenient.
"What did she say?" I asked.
She looked at me with a face that held no guile and replied simply "Have Fun."
Sabrina then started a game of chase with her sisters and they spent the next 20 minutes running around the mausoleum, laughing, screaming in delight and playing. They had fun.
As I watched them, I thought to myself how real that prompting must have been. I could feel Camille there watching her sisters in their play. Watching them just as she did as the littlest among them. Watching with delight in her eyes, cheered by their cheer, giggling at their giggles, wanting so much to really be able to join in the fun.
I have no doubt this simple directive was indeed straight from our littlest lady. May we all follow this counsel today, especially with the little ones in our lives. "Have Fun."
36 comments:
how wonderful and appropriate. i hope those little promptings from Camille never subside.
With love - Shanan
It is nice that you can go and visit with the girls. Camille will always be sending you messages and watching over you.
Oh I love this post. Thank you...and thank you Camille. I'm off to have fun with my kids on the night before the first day of school.
I think that how we are taught about the Savior and his atonement are one of the great things about the gospel. I know that the Savior and his atonemnet can be a powerful force in our lives. It can allow us to heal when we are wounded by the experiences of life. It can change our hearts and actions towards others,and it can free us from human frailties and sin. We can utilize the atonement in our daily lives by striving to do our best, and reaching out to the Lord through prayer by asking him to help us and teach us. I have been grateful for Heavenly Fathers individual approach to each of His children by allowing them to learn these principles and to exercise them. I know that God loves us and wants us to be happy. When we rely on the Lord and partake of the atonement eventually our sorrows beome our joys and our trials become our triumphs. I love Sabrinas example. To listen ,to love, and to share. Hug her for me.
Aunt Katie
I love how simple everything is to a child. I remember some experiences I had as a child and they were just like Sabrina's. Simple, sweet and accepted without second guessing the message. What a wonderful treat, thank you for sharing these tender moments.
Hugs,
Kathy
My dad always spoke about the 'angels among us'. I love this message. Thanks for sharing. Just after I read your blog, I read this one. See the last image... http://lets-explore.typepad.com/weblog/2008/08/alphabet-crayons.html
how sweet. your whole family is staying so close to the Spirit to be able to get promptings from your angel. that's really special. write those down so you don't forget them.
Stephanie, Sabrina's comment reminded me of my very favorite movie, Pollyanna, the old Disney Movie with Haley Mills. You are a shining example of the message in that movie which is, to play the "glad game". It is not an easy game to play, but everyone who plays wins. There is always something to be "glad" about even in the darkest moments. I love the glad game - I play it every day.
you must know that you've done an amazing job as a mother to teach your children to be so in tune with the spirit. i love that they will have camille to whisper things to them and be with them throughout their lives. i love that you all seem be coming closer to a place where having fun isn't as difficult. i love that you all (all 6 of you) are so close, and probably closer than ever.
Again a simply moving post, thank you for sharing that sweet moment with us.
What a smart idea. Whenever we go to the graveside we sweat clear through. Hopefully the weather will cool down soon... LOL
luvs
I think about what Camille's whole perspective probably is from Heaven. How she really knows pure joy right now, and contentment, but also to watch her family, her sisters, her father, and her sweet mother, all having to learn how to be separated for a while from their youngest member of the family. I think your girls have always had a special gift for sacred things. It's so wonderful that Sabrina doesn't doubt one bit that Camille whispers to her, and Sabrina knows to listen. So special.
So sweet!
So sweet. The veil is thin for our little ones- I'm sure of it. I'm glad she took her sister's advice and "had fun."
This is just beautiful, Stephanie. I absolutely LOVE reading your blog each day. Thank you so much for all that you are teaching me. You and your little family are just wonderful.
how wonderful...have fun! a simple yet powerful message! thank you for sharing. i am thinking and praying for you often!
Sabrina is so insightful and seems so matter of fact about receiving inspiration. So beyond her years. It is true that the veil is this for them. I think to teach us.
Stephanie, that's very sweet. As someone who only "saw" Camille and never "knew" her, that makes me really miss her.
I took a break from the authors I'd been reading because as I paid for a book one of the kids lost :-) I noticed a rack of new books and picked up "90 Minutes in Heaven." If you haven't read it, I suggest you read at least the first few chapters because it describes a man's experiences when he had died for 90 minutes. This man wasn't and isn't a Latter-day Saint that I know of so likely hasn't had all the same teachings and revelations, but his description rang so amazingly true in all its detail.
I would be happy to lend you the book for a while just to read through this part because I think it's something you need to see for yourself.
Hello... I've been following your blog and have commented a couple of times. There is something I've been meaning to ask you but do not have your email address. I was wondering if you would email me. I'm not a weirdo, I promise! ;) Just a girl that lives in Salt Lake City, and I have been touched by you and your family. jenhowick@comcast.net Thanks!
Yesterday my friend gave me a wonderful gift, your blog address. I cannot begin to tell you how much you have touched me over the last two days as I have savored your deep wisdom and eloquent words. This gift you are giving to Camille is beyond description. Not only are you being a missionary to non members, but you are also a beautiful light to those of us who are struggling with everyday parenting challenges & individual spirituality at the same time. - I love your writing, and I am only half way through your blog, but I'm trying to not rush myself, I am gaining insight through every entry. You are so poetic in your decriptions of this journey. I just want to tell you thank you. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for allowing people you don't know, like myself, to be uplifted by your unselfish gift of the written word. I want you to know that I AM changed, I am loving my kids more, and seeing things through new eyes. And as I sit at my computer sobbing, I am touched by the spirit through yours. THANK YOU!!
What a sweet moment between sisters!! I love how little children are still so in touch with those feelings from the other side.
I have a 3 year old daughter(Grace) whom I often find having conversations with my grandmother(Ruth)who has passed. Grace actually woke up during the middle of the night and hour my grandma passed. Normally this would have been the end of her night, as she is a VERY restless sleeper...not on this night. Something (someone) comforted her and she fell asleep. She woke the next morning like nothing happened. It wasn't until the next am that I found the news about my Grandmother. I feel so blessed that she made a visit to my home before she herself went "home". I also am so happy that Grace, as she grows will have a relationship with my Gram that I love so much. There is peace found in her passing.
OHHHH I absolutely love this. And I'm going to do it today with my little ones... have fun! thank you thank you thank you.
Your blog is wonderful, and I'm so sorry for the loss of Camille. Reading here is very uplifting, even though I'm not a Christian, your strength and belief in your faith is amazing and admirable. I have a feeling that you help a lot of people by writing here.
Thank you for sharing this experience with us "your audience." I look forward to my daily dose of your blog everyday. Also, thank you for replying on my blog the other day. I have to tell you that it caused an "uproar" with my blogging friends. I can't tell you how many call's I got from people saying "did you know Stephanie sent you a comment on your blog... That is so great!" So congratulations on being "famous" and making me "famous" in the eyes of my friends for a second! Thank you for uplifting me again today.
All of my prayers to your family.
Shaundee
It was 40 years (!!) on May 22nd since my Day passed away very suddenly at age 44. My Mom was left to raise 3 teenaged girls plus another girl, aged 7 and 8 and 9 year old boys. I was 15.
Dad is buried in a moderate sized but very romote cemetary founded some 200 years ago by his church's members. Many, if not most, of those interred there are my father's ancesters.
During our recent trip back "home", four of us "kids" and our Mom drove there to bring some flowers.
The place is breath-taking! It is bordered at the rear by a large, deep brook and there are many mature trees & shrubs that were in full bloom. Even though there is no perpetual care as such, all the graves were well-kept. I am sure the common ancestry had a lot to do with that. It is far enough away from the road as to make it almost silent. All one could hear was the running brook and the rustling of the trees.
We spent well over an hour just wandering around and the feeling of peace was palpable. It was akin to reading our paternal family tree. We "journeyed" back a few generations and shared stories and memories of our father. The younger siblings appreciated this so much as they have much fewer memories of Daddy than us older ones do.
Mom, who is now 84, tries to make the 50 km trip 3 times a year. She has often said that if that is where my father was, she'd be there much more often. Smart lady, my Mom. She revealed to us for the first time that she had purchased 3 lots when Daddy died because all us kids were still young. She marvelled at the amazing height of the birch tree she had planted on that lot had reached and how it bent over at the top to provide shade to Daddy's and, ultimately her, resting places. She said this laughingly as it is well known that Mom's favorite summertime spot is reading in her swing under the shade of a birch tree in her backyard.
For me, after not having the opportuneity to visit his grave for about 10 years, it was probably the most tranquil part of our trip.
And you know what, Stephanie?
It was FUN!
amen to that. i am so glad you think to ask those sweet questions to your girls. it will make them more aware of the sweet spirit they feel. lucky them. lucky you. i have no doubt she wanted you all to have fun...and continue to have fun.
xo
When describing the cemetary, I forgot to add that it is bordered, on the left, by a grove of trees -- mostly evergreens -- that, after about 300 meters, opens up to the Great Atlantic and the fishing harbour that my Dad spent so much time at as a boy. On the right, a similiar grove, about 500 meters deep, goes to the main roadway.
In addition to the babbling of the brook and the rustling of the trees, the sweet smell of the salty Atlantic permeates the air.
Ahhhh ... It is surely a small taste of Heaven on earth.
I am glad you found a moment of peace with your family. What a comfort for your girls to feel Camille so close. I am sure that was a "fun" moment for you all to feel Camille and then see her wishes fulfilled. Thank you for your example of strength; it gives me strength. I love how kids can enjoy the moment and "have fun" anytime. I can surely learn from your girls example as well.
What a sweet and simple message! I especially love how well your girls took it to heart! Your story made me smile today. Thank you for sharing!
What a gift to be in tune! Much love, DeEtte
That gave me chills. How sweet. I needed that one today. I will have more fun with my own girls tommorow! Thanks again for your wise words of comfort.
I loved this post. When we visit our baby Benjamin's grave (born and died last November), his brothers' favorite activity is to drop sticks into the stream that runs nearby, and chase the Canadian geese that live around the lake there. Our first few visits there, I was frustrated that they would not sit still and think about Benjamin, like me. But then I realized that they were doing exactly what he would want them to be doing, and if he were here, he would be joining in! He probably loves watching his brothers enjoy the delights of our beautiful world! And meanwhile, I can have my own peaceful time at the grave, reveling in the feeling that, for the moment, all 4 of my sons are together. :)
I've been reading your blog the last couple of days after seeing how inspired my cousin was by reading it. And I just have to say "ditto" to what everyone has said. You truly are an inspiration. It just hit me that my son is only 11 days older than Camille and I feel that I could never be as strong as you had I been in your situation. You are a true testimony builder for me and I can never say thank you enough!
I just recently found your site and am in awe of your strength and faith. I feel completely at peace when I read your words, thank you for bringing calm to my day. I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Camille, thank you for sharing her messages with us.
I certainly feel the need to tell you that every time I come on and read what you have to say, I am so uplifted. Mostly spiritually and in so many ways emotionally. I feel that the emotions just come out from underneath me. I really feel a sense of renewal also. Renewal of my views on life and everything else going on. Thank you for your updates and please continue!
Love and Peace- Rosemary Edds
Stephanie,
I have no idea if you can see or even read comments left on posts from over 2 years ago. I just came across your blog yesterday and I have been reading each post since your first. I came across this one and just broke down. How great a mother you are that you have taught your children to listen for promptings from heaven. I can only hope that I can be as great a mother/teacher as you and teach my children how they too can receive messages from heaven if they just open their hearts and minds to it. I also wanted to tell you that there is such joy and love pouring out from your blog. Your testimony shines brightly through it and I am truly humbled while I read each of your posts. May God be with you and your family!
Sincerely,
Michelle Casey
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