Friday, October 31, 2008

Really sad day......

Today Matt and I attended the funeral for Marcus. It was a beautiful service. There were hundreds of people in attendance, many of them high school students. Marcus played in the marching band for his high school, and I lost it right before the service when the entire marching band marched in dressed in their full uniforms. To see such solidarity and support from these special teenagers was really moving. After the service the band lined up in two rows to make a path and the casket was carried between the rows, then the family followed. Although it was sad, the service was very uplifting. In our LDS faith, we believe that life on earth is a small part of our eternal life, that it is a time for testing and trial. We believe that when we die we will be able to see our loved ones again. This doctrine was repeated many times throughout the service and it brought me comfort. The most difficult part of the day was seeing Karen. My heart was breaking for her. To watch your child suffer and then accept a reality that children shouldn't have to face must have been so difficult. It makes me so sad and terrified that brain cancer is taking so many children. Since Matt's diagnoses, I have known of 2 other children in this valley with brain cancer. They are both gone now....... Matt's diagnoses is slightly more positive. He has a grade 3 Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma rather than a grade 4 Anaplastic Astrocytoma, but I still get scared, and I still think this awful disease shouldn't be taking our children away from us. Today was a somber day of reflection.

8 comments:

Carl and April said...

I am so sorry for your friend. I can't begin to understand her sorrow. The Gospel is so beautiful and a great source of comfort in a time of sorrow from the loss of death. Even so, I think some of the greatest pain is from our missing them, missing the moments that can't be shared. At those time it brings comfort to remember them and crying is very therapeutic, especially if you can think of memories to laugh at while crying. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

nelson clan said...

As a parent that just breaks my heart. Parents aren't supposed to bury their kids. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Amanda said...

So sorry Allison. Both of my kids have had class mates during their school careers, who have battled cancer. Both are in remission gratefully. But seeing what these kids have gone through is tough. We will pray for Marcus' family and for Matt's continued health.

Handsfullmom said...

Now I'm crying. I'm so sorry for Marcus' family. What an ironic day for a funeral.

Anonymous said...

Thoughts and prayers are with Marcus' family and of course the continued healing of Matt.
Isaiah 57:1
The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Karen Russell said...

Thank you so much for coming to the Services for Marcus. I really didn't get teary-eyed until I saw you and Matt. The band is so great. They also did a quintet out at the grave-side service with a baritone solo. Plus the whole band did a dismissal (like they do when they leave the field in competition, with one drum beating time). It was just beautiful. Thank you for being there to support us. We will have to get together for something "more fun" next time.

Mindy said...

I just started crying when I saw this post. We've been praying for Marcus along with Matt and we even fasted for both of them today. Please let his mom know I am so sorry for her loss.

Katie said...

I am so sorry for Marcus' family, and for yours. What a terrible thing to have to go through.