The funeral was held on March 10, 2018 in Pocatello, ID. We traveled to the viewing on March 9th and stayed at a local hotel where several other families were also staying.
We stopped briefly at the funeral home in the evening when we arrived into town. The kids got to see great grandma Loveland and visit with cousins.
Having had the opportunity to go to the temple with the kids for Andrew's sealing to our family, it was easier for them to understand that this was only a temporary separation. Her body was still with us but her spirit was no longer in it. The sealing covenants we had made with the kids in the temple were the same Letha had made, and she was enjoying the blessing of being able to be reunited with her parents and her late husband Bud.
We were also able to talk to the kids about the temple clothes that grandma was wearing. They were similar to what we wore when they saw us in the temple.
That evening the kids went swimming with cousins in the hotel room. Stella is a little fish. She is the one who cannot reach the bottom of the pool at every depth, so I have to keep a close eye on her because she will still swim across the length of the pool, but I am not as confident in her skills as she is. But she did well.
On Saturday morning the family gathered at a local Stake Center where we said our last goodbyes and had a family prayer, prior to closing the casket. I think that was when I was hit the hardest by the idea that I would not be seeing Letha for many years to come.
The funeral services were wonderful. The talks shared were happy and inspiring memories of the many ways Letha blessed the lives of her family. The great-grandchildren sang I Am a Child of God. Letha had 63 great-grandchildren, enough for a Primary choir. They were so darling!Following the funeral, the family traveled to the cemetery for the burial. The day was bright and sunny. We couldn't have had a better day.
I loved the opportunity to reconnect with Todd's cousins, aunts, and uncles at the luncheon. The knowledge I have gained through the restored gospel makes such a difference during these times in my life. I know that Jesus Christ lives, that he is my Savior and that because of his atoning sacrifice I can choose to partake of the blessings of eternal life and share those blessings with my family. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
