morgan

It has been a tender, tear-filled, difficult week.  Our friends' three-year-old son, Morgan, died on Wednesday after being in the Pediatric ICU for seven weeks after nearly drowning.  Morgan's dad is in Brady's MBA program.  The entire thing seems like a horrific dream that I will wake up from.  Being a mother has made the experience so much more tender for me.  Each time I have rocked Harper to sleep since Morgan passed away, I have savored the time with my baby girl realizing the fragility of life and ached for Morgan's sweet parents.  I am so grateful for an eternal family and the peace that Morgan truly is in a better place and is preparing for the day when he can be reunited with his parents and little brother.

Morgan's funeral was a wonderful tribute to a vibrant, happy boy.  His parents, Victor and Jenedy both gave sweet talks filled with love and memories of their son.  Their stake president also spoke and I loved his perspective on their having lost Morgan.  He said: "Children are an important part to how we receive joy. The power of the atonement is what allows us to convert sorrow and grief and transform it into joy. It’s difficult to understand at this time, but in Doctrine & Covenants 101:36 it says - “Wherefore fear not even unto death for in this world your joy is not full, but in me, your joy is full.” Today we’re here to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. That’s why we’re here, to do what we can to help and to tell this family that we love them. However we could be here mourning for joy lost, as Morgan is no longer with us. But because of our knowledge of the gospel and the atonement, and the plan of salvation, I submit to you that we are here to mourn for joy postponed. That is a promise from our father in heaven, that joy will be returned."  My favorite was part was when he said we are not mourning joy lost, but joy postponed.

The closing hymn was "Behold! A Royal Army" and I found myself thinking it was an unexpected choice.  Morgan's first name was Victory (a derivative of his father's and his grandma Victoria).  As we neared the chorus, my eyes drifted ahead and I suddenly understood why we were singing it and I couldn't stop crying:

Victory, victory,
Thro’ Him that redeemed us!
Victory, victory,
Thro’ Jesus Christ our Lord!
Victory, victory, victory,
Thro’ Jesus Christ our Lord!

Oh, when the war is ended,
When strife and conflict cease,
When all are safely gathered
Within the vale of peace,
Before the King eternal,
That vast and mighty throng
Shall praise His Name forever,
And this shall be their song.

Oh for that day when the war has ended and we are gathered in that "vale of peace."  After the funeral ended, we all met outside and were given a blue or white balloon and then released them together.  It was a poignant way to end as we all stared heavenward and watched as they floated from sight.  There is so much in this life, our future and eternity that is out of our sight and beyond our understanding.  How grateful I am for a Heavenly Father who loves us and does not leave us comfortless.   I believe He will surround Morgan's family with angels, has sent them unimaginable strength to go on and gave us His Son so as to reunite us with our loved ones one day.