Michelle, Aaron and June have faced this great sadness with more courage and grace than I could ever dream to have. I can say that at 36 years old, I've never felt my heart break as it has this past week. To watch those you love grieve in this way has been life-changing.
That being said....traveling home to be with my loved ones, to find comfort in each other's care, I've learned a few things.
I've learned that God is there. He just is. He loves us so much and cares for us when we don't have the strength to move forward. I've learned that my family is the most wonderful family on earth. We have been there for each other and grown closer through such a tragic ordeal. We've discovered that we would drop everything for one another if need be. We would help each other no matter what. It's a discovery maybe we imagined existed, but never knew fully until it was necessary. I've learned that friends and ward members can make a difference, even when something so terrible, so devastating as this happens. Michelle and Aaron's church congregation supported them last week in ways that I've never seen, or dreamed of! It was so kind, so loving and so full of the spirit. Their presence at the funeral- even in the rain in the middle of a thursday afternoon. Their putting on a beautiful luncheon for family and friends after the funeral. Their messages, notes, presents, flowers, balloons-- filling the Laupers' home after the funeral. It was all so touching and so wonderful, amidst such sadness.
Our family will miss Wyatt for the rest of our time here on earth. We will think of Michelle and Aaron every day and pray that they recover and heal after such a lost. We know they will, but it will take time.
A few pictures of all the gifts we found in Michelle and Aaron's home after the funeral
These hearts with messages were all over the walls inside their home-- it was so touching
at the funeral
The backside of the funeral program
