Me and God...

I am weak and He is strong

Me and God

He forgives me when I'm wrong

Me and God

He's the one I lean on

When life gets hard

Me and God

He's my father

He's my friend

The beginning

And the end

He rules the world

With a staff and rod

We're a team

Me and God

~Me and God-Josh Turner~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGZV2Sr1sTg

As Reba's Forever Love played the family walked behind the paul bearers gently rolling the white casket. A very soft love song between me and the forever love of my daughter played as the funeral began. The family walked very slowly, as this moment was surreal. It could not be happening. The music for her funeral had to be just right. I heard songs before, but now they all had different meanings since Heather died. Music still has a different meaning today than it did before. After a very moving and beautiful service it was time to leave. The casket that carried Heather would go back up the aisle first with the paul bearers to guide her again. The family would follow behind. This time the song would be much different. It would be upbeat, one of hope. Josh Turner's Me and God meant Heather was with God and as I walked out it was... Me and God.

 As with every party I have ever planned, everything down to the last detail has to be perfect. Heather's funeral would be no different. Heather had collected TY Beanie Babies. Mostly the bunnies. She had always wanted to have an animal named after her. Ironically the Easter when she was in ICU was the first time TY had a bunny named HEATHER. I knew that for Heather's funeral I wanted to give a "Heather" bunny to each family that attended. I called TY INC the day she died. I explained the situation and that I wanted 200 purple TY "Heather" bunnies. TY told me they do not sell to individual people but this time they would make an exception. Thursday before Heather's funeral I had 2 boxes of TY Purple "Heather' bunnies arrive at my front door.

 

With the 24 month anniversary of Heather's death being right before Easter; I figured that for the gathering I would make crocheted bunnies for each family to take with them. It seemed to make sense to me. As bunnies were Heather's favorite. I began this project and found it helped to pass the long hours leading up to the anniversary of her death. I find myself not able to focus and sit still for long. Nothing is very interesting nor do I want to do anything. This small project helped me focus my attention. I managed to get 22 of them made prior to the memorial. ( I have about 5 more to make) I hope that everyone that received one of these bunnies finds them a joy.

Everyone that came wrote messages on the luminary bags. We all then went outside and placed them around the Sally angel. Then it was time for the best part of the evening. The lighted balloons. It was as close to the floating lanterns in Tangled as I could come. The pink lighted balloons were breath taking to watch. They were truly the highlight of the evening. I plan on doing this again and again. It gives great comfort to watch them float into the night's sky.

Showing the cut out inserts to make the bags glow

handing out the water filled bases

Placement of the bags

Some of the group

How stunning

Sally angel, luminaries and lighted balloons

Lighted balloons

 The decorations were Sleeping Beauty with lots of pink and jewels. I made up the same flower ring vase for this gathering as I did for Heather's graduation party. I had found this vase at an antique store. When I saw it I knew it would be perfect for the pink barbie graduation party. Once again, this vase held bright pink roses with baby's breathe. It was perfect.

Flower ring vase

Sleeping Beauty -She lights up BLUE and PINK

Jewels

Favorite-Jelly beans

The memorial was a huge step forward in many ways. Ways that all our friends that attended never dreamed. This was the first time for us to have people in our home since Heather died. I mean in a group setting. This is huge to allow myself to be opened up, to share my most private place...my home. My home is where I can be myself. I do not have to pretend anything to anyone. I have many photos and treasures of Heather displayed around the house as well. This is a big step to allow people to share my treasures. I felt very comfortable with all our friends that attended as they love us and they loved Heather very much.

I also needed to know that Heather was remembered. I was overwhelmed by the number of our dear friends came to support us during this time of remembrance. We at one time had 40 people here for the luminaries and the balloon release. I could not ask for a better support system than those that came to our home. I love each and every one of you. The dear ones that could not attend, sent flowers which was unexpected and I loved very much.

Hiding bunny-but he found a good home..

Most of the group taking instructions on the luminaries

 I know there are many, many photos on the blog tonight. I hope that you get the feel of the memorial. It was quite an evening. Put up the video of the balloon release next time.