The Box and the Dress

If I could offer one piece of advice to a mother who has lost a child it would be to hold the funeral at the mortuary (or some other place that you won't visit often).  I can't go into our stake center without seeing a box, a white box that I hate.  The first time I went back was for stake conference about 4 months after the funeral.  we sat in the gym, a fair way back, in the gym, for the adult session and I wouldn't see anything but that box, at the front of the chapel.  All I could feel was my anguish.  All I would hear was my sobbing and my pleas for my baby not to be taken away.  I couldn't stay, so I went to the last place I had held my little girl.  I still only saw that box. So if there's one piece of advice I can offer it's that you shouldn't hold the funeral someplace you will likely have to visit again.

"I love you a bushel and a peck"

We have a new box.  A beautiful box.  A box that still makes me cry, but not a box that I hate.  I love this box.  I love the men who made this box.  I will fill this box with happy memories, pieces of a little girl who will live forever in my heart.  I will share this box with Little man, and any other children I may have.  I will treasure this box always and I will not let anyone take it away from me.  Thank you, Larry, Grandpa Stone, and Marilyn.  It is perfect.  And thank you Lawrence for asking for this, I don't know that I ever would have.







On top of this box rests another memory, one that is too beautiful to place inside.  One made by even more loving hands.  Ethne was blessed in a beautiful dress that my mother crocheted.  I had intended to keep it for her to have for her daughters.  After the accident I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this dress.  I didn't know if I wanted to save it for myself or use it again.  My mom told me to save it.  She said that I shouldn't change my plans just because of this accident.  So, for Ethne's birthday, my mom and Grandma made a porcelain doll to wear the dress.  I see this beautiful doll every day and I am reminded of the angel who wore it nearly 3 years ago.  I am reminded of that special day when a precious little girl was given eternal promises.  And I am reminded of how much I want to be with her again.  Thank you mom and Grandma, for your talented and patient hands and for the results of their work.