After a week or two of pretty average weather we woke up to blue skies and a beautiful warm day. It was incredible and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. After the funeral service we spent a bit of time at the chapel talking to people, before moving onto the Woodlawn Children's Lawn Cemetery at Carr Villa.
Earlier in the week Aaron and I had met with the funeral director Mandy, and had gone for a drive to look at where Noah would be buried. It was a really beautiful spot as it was just for children and instead of having rows of graves, the plots were around trees. We got to pick exactly which tree we wanted Noah buried around. We chose this one because we loved how the branches went right to the ground, rather than showing some trunk.
For years I had thought about the whole service and burial, and knew that one thing I really wanted to do was release heaps of coloured balloons. When we arrived they looked so beautiful as they were in bunches along the way to his grave.
Harri and Jay had fun helping the funeral directors hand the balloons out to the kids (and some adults:)
Aaron, Chrish, Jared and Eden were the pall bearers at the graveside. The funeral director told us that she had seen at other funerals that people had used bubbles as well and we loved the idea.
Bishop Bailey gave the dedicatory prayer while the coffin was being lowered into the ground.
After the prayers Bishop then told everyone to release their balloons at the same time. I quickly moved so I could watch them float away and it was so beautiful and made me cry as the kids all called out 'Bye Noah!'.
We then spent a bit of time around the graveside, throwing in flowers, watching the kids throw in cards, and just talking and crying with people.
It's still hard to beleive when we go up to Noah's grave that his body is actually there, but we are so gladit's at such a beautiful place.
I love the smiles and looks on the kids, especially when they let the balloons go.
ReplyDeleteI loved how a lot of the kids wrote Noah letters and did drawings.
Kobe, Jae and Harri look especially handsome, and the photo of Harri with Noah's monkey says so much.
It breaks my heart to see the photos of you and Aaron at the gravesite.
It was such a beautiful day to say goodbye to Noah, and the children will always remember it.
They have so much faith in seeing Noah once again.
Love Mum.
xxx
love you x
ReplyDeleteI think I will always remember the blue sky for Noah's day. He certainly put in a good weather order. :) Everything was beautiful- the talks, the balloons, the bubbles, the tender feelings for Noah. Xx
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that i couldn't be there. It looks like a beautiful day - with the sunshine & the balloons. The pictures of you guys crying break my heart.
ReplyDeleteThe pic of Harri & the monkey <3
xxxx
Everything about the "Bye Noah" day was PERFECT.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your journey. I can't imagine it's been easy, even for a super-blogger like you.
Your story has inspired, touched and reached so many people.
It must be almost your time to rest now.
xxx
Looking at the pictures of Noah's funeral still makes me cry. The pictures were done so beautifully. It is so touching seeing all the children there at Noah's casket saying goodbye. I'm sure that Noah & all our angels caught those beautiful balloons as they floated up to heaven!
ReplyDeleteDear family, we are praying for all of you, here in NH across the ocean. May Noah's memory be eternal! Sometimes there is nothing to say, nothing anyone can do, except stand witness, side by side. Your beautiful photos underline that and show how Noah was surrounded by love his whole life, and for his life to come.
ReplyDelete