Funeral Friday

Last Friday were Kameron's funeral services. It was a LONG, emotional, exhausting day. But, we survived to tell about it.

I didn't sleep much the night before, just tossing and turning, thinking about what I was going to have to do the next day, worrying about things and if everything had gotten done. 6:30am came way too early the next morning! Breakfast wasn't even an option for me, I was so sick to my stomach. We hurried to get ready and headed out the door to the church.

When we got to the church we had to get the memory table set up. We had pictures of Kam as a baby and a little boy, pictures of EAC days and our marriage and family. I had brought a baseball glove, his scriptures, memoires from his mission, a BYU hat, and a few other things that just reminded me of Kam. After we got that set up I was able to greet family and friends and breathe a little. I was amazed at all the beautiful flower arrangements that were in the chapel. As we moved to the family viewing, there were even more! It was great to have tangible things that showed us people were thinking of us. {thank you.}

It was nice to be in the family viewing with just our families. It was a quiet time for us to all enjoy each others company and say our final good-bye's to Kam before the closed the casket. At 9:30 the funeral coordinator closed the casket and opened the doors to friends who had been invited in. A long line of friends, ward members, mission companions and Presidents, & co-workers all filed through. I couldn't tell you every person that came through but the hardest people to see as they passed through were Kameron's old college buddies {Tyler, Mason, Ben, Jade} ... I could tell that they were having the hardest time being there and it was really really hard for me to see them. After the line had died down, we had a family prayer, given by Matt. And then we filed into the chapel.

The services were beautiful. Everyone did an amazing job. I had hoped to get it recorded for family members that couldn't be there but, that didn't work out. But, it really was an amazing service. It was a relief to see it all put together and go smoothly.

The opening song was, "Be Still, My Soul." and a prayer given by Mike Goodman.

Mason Nicholls gave Kameron's life sketch and did an amazing job. They were the best of friends and Mason knew things about Kam that nobody else knew. I was grateful that Mason took the time out of his training (for I.C.E.) to be there. It meant alot to me and I am sure to Kam.

Ammon Matsuda, a friend of Kam's from Japan, was able to be here (he now lives in Dallas, TX). And he spoke about Kam as well. They were such good friends back when Kameron and his family lived in Japan and they have kept in touch all these years. Ammon did such a great job and it was fun to hear some of the stories he told because I hadn't heard a lot of them! Ammon was the one who read that letter, posted previously.

After Ammon spoke, my cousin Emily, sang "The Test" by, Janice Kapp Perry and did a BEAUTIFUL job. It is such a beautiful song and was perfect for the services.

Bishop Barkdull gave some remarks followed by President Goates. I WISH that I had been able to hear there talks better but, Kason was starting to get fidgety.

Closing song was, "Families are Forever" with a closing song by Merri Regimballe.

We then filed out of the chapel and they loaded the casket into the vehicle. We all gathered around and as people came out they gave hugs and visited. After {lots} of visiting and hugs and offers of help, we headed out towards Thatcher for the burial.

That too was a beautiful service. It would have been even more beautiful if it hadn't been 106 degrees!!! But, it was quick and nice. Bishop Sanders conducted and Daniel gave an opening prayer. Then members (new and old) of the EAC A Capella choir sang, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." and then Art gave the dedicatory prayer followed by a few remarks by Bishop Sanders and the closing prayer by my Grandpa Davies. After the closing prayer we scattered flower petals on the casket and sent balloons up to heaven for Daddy.

I was amazed at how many people were there at the graveside. It was wonderful have so much support on such a tough day. I had found out later that the attendance at the funeral was amazing as well, they had to keep putting up more and more chairs as people kept showing up. That was so neat for me to hear and know that Kameron had touched so many lives. It made people willing to sacrifice a lot to be there to show their support for him and our family. It was really wonderful. So, since I will never be able to thank each of you individually - THANK YOU for being there and for showing your support, love and concern. It means more to me than you will ever know. It really was wonderful to see you all there.

So, after the graveside, and after they lowered his casket down, we headed to the Thatcher Stake Center for a yummy meal that our old ward had prepared for us! It was really nice to just relax in a cool building, visit with family and old ward members. A nice way to end the day.

It really was a LONG day. I had never been so tired in my life! I was physically, emotionally and spiritually EXHAUSTED. But, it was good to have it over with and I think that some really good, positive memories were made that day.

I was amazed at the strength I had to get through the day and I kept wondering, "why aren't I crying?? What's wrong with me?". And I will be honest in saying, I don't think alot of that strength was my own. I think it was from you guys, from people praying for me to have the strength and comfort to make it through the day. I also didn't feel Kameron very close to me the day of the funeral. It wasn't a bad thing, I realized later that I didn't need him that day, I had other forms of strength to get me through the day. I think that other family members needed to feel him closer than I did on Friday. I hope that they were able to feel his love and feel his comfort as their mourned his passing. I also pray that they will always remember the words that were spoken about the Plan of Salvation and that they can remember the promises that come from it.

Kameron's funeral day was a good day. It was a hard day, but has been nice to have it over with. It was wonderful to meet some family for the first time and see others that I have met before. I was grateful for the support that was shown on my side of the family, for those who traveled to be there. I was amazed at the love and support that was shown on the day of the funeral. I was, and still am, grateful for the gospel, for the promises we have been given and the the knowledge that we have.

Kameron is in a beautiful resting spot and his body is prepared for the Resurrection - and for that, I am very very grateful. I cannot wait until the day comes that I am able to leave this mortal life and be buried next to my husband. It is only but a little while.