in memory of rachelle

what a day...kenadee and i drove down to spanish fork to attend my cousins funeral. it was a small graveside service with many family and friends. i am sure none of you know my cousin, i have to say i didnt really know her either. but way back when...when we were just kids, rachelle and i were together a lot. she was only 6 months older than me and we had some fun times at grandma and grandpa hansens. we played in the chicken coops, at the farm, we played in the leaves and ran around the big tree in the front yard. we played for hours on grandma and grandpas porch. we tried to catch water skeeters (is that what they are really called or is that what we called them???) we picked apricots in the loader of grandpas tractor, and we went all the way through the fields to pick plums. and somewhere out there is a picture of us when we could not wait for the other to go to the bathroom (grandma only had one bathroom with 6 kids!!!)...yes we are both sitting on the toilet going 'potty'!!! we had many incredible times together with each other and with other cousins!!! i honestly cant remember the last time i saw rachelle. we both went in different directions in life. i really wish i could have known her more. she had some really tough times in her life and i wish things could have been better for her. i am so thankful to know that she is in a much better place, with God. and i know with all of my heart that our grandma and grandpa were there for her with open arms to welcome her to heaven.

after a long day we finally got settled in to bed and ready for prayers. it was kenadees turn and she starts her prayer like always, soon after she says, 'mom i have to ask you something, what was your cousins name?' so i tell her, 'rachelle'. then she continues...'bless mommies cousin rachelle in heaven. and that she met my grandma c. even though i didnt know her long, she was a great friend. (kenadee had not met rachelle!!) she finished her prayer and i had tears going down my cheeks. how thoughtful and beautiful was her prayer. i had thought to myself earlier that i would 'add' a little something to her prayer about rachelle and our family. i didnt need to, she did it all on her own. i am so proud of my little girl. especially that she knows about heaven, Jesus, and God. i am so grateful for prayer time as a family. being with my family today, i feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. family and friends and so many loved ones. i pray that rachelle always knew the love that her family had for her.

rachelle you will be missed.