Wonderful tribute & support...

Where do I start? The first thoughts that come to my mind after such a tough week & weekend: What a wonderful tribute to Keith & support to our whole family. I can't express how overwhelming the whole experience we have been through, has been.

Dozens upon dozens of flowers & plants were received - they were all so beautiful. Cards were received by the hundreds. Meals, food, & supplies of all kinds were brought over for our families. Thank-you everyone! (Pictures are all from the grave site in Midway, UT.)

A recap of the weekend: - the viewing began Thursday night & people started arriving around 5:30.... the last of those who came left the building at 11:35 p.m. - Many told us of how they had stood in line for 2 hours to get to visit with us & pay their respects. Amazing... how many people were touched by Keith's life. It was so neat to hear the many stories of how Keith had influenced them, or their fondest memories, or of their respect for him. Ray & Kathy Johnson then had pizza's delivered so that we all could eat before we went home!! What amazing people we have in our life!

Friday people started arriving at 9:30 & the flow of visitors was steady. I know that several didn't make it into the viewing as the building was being packed with people 45 minutes before the services started. The chapel & the whole gym was filled. It wasn't filled like a regular stake conference with 2 rows... no, there were 4 wide rows covering the gym floor & screens were used on both sides of the gym so people could see who were sitting behind where the curtains open. It was packed.

We realize that hundreds of people came for the viewing & funeral.... many traveled great distances, many who hadn't even seen Keith for over 15 years & more ... so many wanted to pay their respects to the family & be at his funeral. Many came in support of each of the children from their work, their home wards, our past wards & stakes. What an amazing tribute to him & a support to us! (Click on program to enlarge.)
Many comments from those who attended were: it was one that you could have been at for many more hours & still didn't want to leave when it was over, it felt so good to just sit & feel of the spirit in the room, or that the feeling in the room made you feel like you could go out & move mountains.

My own personal thoughts & feelings... I also felt the funeral service was an amazing moment during this very sad time in our lives. The comfort I received was more than anything I have ever felt in my life. I sat & contemplated several times the sense of warmth that covered the back of my arms & my back as if it were a huge hug or as if I was being held (no it wasn't a hot flash :) ) I had to wonder if the building wasn't filled with a 1000+ angels to be with us during that time, or possible loved ones who had also passed on before? I don't know... but I know that we weren't alone.

Every speaker & part of the program added a special feeling & spirit to the service. As we sang the feeling of being buoyed up was so strong... something I have never experienced in any other capacity. I was lifted & a huge impression was left on my heart & in my mind.

As we sang the closing song: Put your shoulder to the wheel, I did feel that we could continue on & make a difference as we try to move forward.

Requested by many, here are the Lyrics of our family song:

No Empty Chairs by: Janice Kapp Perry & Senator Orrin Hatch

Look around our family table - Every person in his place - Memorize this happy moment - And each familiar face. Look around our family circle - Feel the love that we all share

Life is sweet, and so complete with - Each loved one gathered here. There are no empty chairs at our table- No empty feelings inside - When all those we love are together - Here side by side. Time will fly and all to quickly - Some will leave to try their wings - Empty places at our table - Will tug at our heart strings - But the number at our table - Will increase as children come - Bringing to our family table - Sweet innocence and fun.- We'll add a few more chairs to our table- A lot more laughter and love - As our joy is multiplied daily - To fill our cup.- When there comes a time for parting - There will be no tears because - We will set a grander table - Where all may live in love - There we'll wait for all our loved ones - Who will come to take their place - At the feast that lasts forever - In God's eternal place - We'll have no empty chairs at our table - No empty feelings inside - When all those we love are together - There side by side - May the circle not be broken - May each on return to be

Safe within this peaceful haven- Through all eternity. - We'll have no empty chairs at our table- When all are gathered above - No more empty chairs at our table- In heaven's home of love.

I am grateful to be part of the family, to have had so many years to have made memories, & to have raised my children with their Grandpa around. The hours, days, & months ahead are going to be terribly tough as we have a huge hole in our hearts & the longing for those physical desires to hear his voice, see his smile, talk to him one more time will be very hard... but we do know that it is o.k. That what we have been taught is true & that does bring us great comfort. We know that we will be able to be together again as a family. This is an experience that surely puts that faith to the test... but with the experiences, the feelings, & the happenings of this week... our faith has been strengthened & we can't deny what we have felt in our hearts.

At first when I received the call that Keith had passed away - I felt a strong sense that he had to have been a bit upset when he - himself realized what was happening, but since I have felt the assurance that he is o.k... I have sensed an urgency of his arrival on the other side... I don't know why or what the urgency is for, I know we can ponder & speculate... but, I am sure one day we will know & understand. I am grateful to have felt the overwhelming peace, love, & the comfort from our Heavenly Father.


After the services the 5th ward Relief Society had prepared sack lunches for our trip. They were delicious & we were so grateful for the strength they gave us. We are thankful to all those who donated their time & means to support us during this time.

We then traveled down to Midway for the burial & had an amazing evening there. Patriarch Matthews spoke, I wish we had his comments recorded so I could post them - they really summed up the day, seemed to add a sense of closure, & once again paid great tribute to Keith. Those who picked out the flowers made a special wreath with 26 roses in it so that the grandchildren could each remove a rose & leave it for Grandpa after the pallbearers had placed their corsages on the casket. The feelings & the atmosphere was so neat. The sun was shining & it seemed to make several people glow as it hit their hair, it was warm & gave you a comforting feeling. The sprinklers were on in the adjacent fields, a cow - mooed in the background, birds were chirping, the wind blew gently, every grave was decorated from Memorial day... it was beautiful, & it was peaceful. I am sure Keith would have approved. The site of his burial is just a few car lengths away from where Doreen's parents are both buried too. It was a very beautiful day.

Thank-you to everyone. Your support, love, & prayers have been felt & have helped us through a terribly tough time.

The thoughts that came to my mind as the day ended were words that our beloved Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley had spoken to us prior to his passing: "Let us return to our homes with resolution in our hearts to do a little better than we have done in the past. We can all be a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more thoughtful of one another. We can be a little more tolerant and friendly, we can go out of our way to show our respect for others. We cannot afford to be arrogant or self-righteous. It is our obligation to reach out in helpfulness, not only to our own but to all others as well." May we do this & carry on with the memories we have of Keith & the example he was to each of us. May the days ahead be filled with peace & love & may our Heavenly Father bless us all!