As the calendar flipped to August this year,
so did the sea of emotions that came with it!
I cannot believe it has been one year ago that we received that phone call
that changed all of our lives forever.
I will never forget learning the news of the accident,
and I will never be able to remove the images of my sweet friends faces
as I walked in to the ER to be with them.
No parent should ever have to lose a child.
It just doesn't seem right.
It's been so heartbreaking watching them this last year trying to navigate life
without their sweet Marli here with them.....physically.
As the one year mark approached, Lisa struggled to know what to do.
We talked about some ideas and came up with some things.
I don't think the weekend could have been any sweeter.
She did such a great job at honoring her beautiful daughter......
She did such a great job at honoring her beautiful daughter......
we were so grateful to be able to be a part of it all.
Back in February, Sherry Mitchell got a team organized in Marli's behalf,
for the Organ Donation 5k held each year at Sugar House Park.
We had close to 100 people there that morning......what a beautiful sight to see all of that Teal
there in support and love of Marli.
"Marli's Squad" won the prize for the largest group there!
Julia and I ran with Grandma Randle's initials on our sleeve in her honor as well!
Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015 - Sugar House Park 8 a.m. (One Yr. Annv. of the accident)
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| Denise Morris, Me, Lisa, Sherry |
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| Kenzie Denter, Garrett, Julia, Siena Morris |
Lisa, Janci, Life Flight Nurse and Travis
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| Caden Mitchell, Bridger Hamblin, Ty and Garrett |
Lisa had asked everyone to render service in Marli's honor during this weekend.
We had decided to go to her Favorite Temple, and leave her favorite treat (Peanut Butter Cups)
on windshields with a card about Marli, thanking them for their service in the Temple that day,
and asking them to find someone else they could serve in her honor as well!
The Mitchell Family joined us.
Each of the kids picked a car to leave a treat for!
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015 - Marli's Bench
We were so honored to be invited to hike to Marli's Bench above the Bountiful Temple.
Everyone met Sunday night at 7 p.m. just across the street from the Temple.
We hiked up to the bench that a sweet Young Man, whom they don't even know,
made in Marli's honor,
and placed on the hill over looking the Bountiful Temple for the Hamblin's to have a place
to go to reflect on the meaning of the Temple and think of Marli.
Such a beautiful, beautiful gift. I am so amazed at the goodness of others.
It was a beautiful sight. That was the first time our family had been there.
So peaceful, such beautiful scenery and so close to Heaven.
Once we all got up there, we took some pictures, and wrote a message to Marli
to place in a box that we sent off with balloons.
Everyone sang a special version of "I Am A Child Of God" that someone wrote about Marli.
The lyrics couldn't be more special.
After that, we sent the balloons off.
They went up, and then for whatever reason......they descended down the hill, towards the Temple.
They looked as though they were going to land right on the Temple, which would have been
pretty meaningful, as that is the closest place on Earth to Heaven.....
but the cut back towards the mountain and landed in someones yard.
Brevin ran down that hill faster than lighting and retrieved the box and balloons.
Hamblins came back to our home afterward and we added more balloons and sent
them off from our driveway, in which they headed towards the Hamblin's home just west of ours.
It was such a special night.
I LOVE this pic of Austy and Boston.....BFF's born 1 week apart!
They kept asking each other, "You see da Temple? I see da Temple!"
A huge group of Marli's friends!
Caden Mitchell, Bridger Hamblin, Ty
Hamblin's had creamies waiting for us at the bottom of the hill.....before everyone left for home.
They got back to our house around 9:45 and we let off the balloons and messages there.
That little teal box held a lot of love in those little messages!
Hope they made it to you Mar!
Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 - One Year Closer Date
I spent that morning making tissue paper pom poms to hang in the center of
the easy ups they were planning to use that night.
I met them over at the Cemetery about 4:15 to help hang them and help set up a little.
They were holding a memorial service there that night, right next to Marli.
It was open house style.....come talk, reminisce and remember Marli.
They started at 6:30 and went til about 9 p.m.
We had ballet and football, so as soon as we got home and got ready,
we took off to the cemetery to be there with everyone.
It was about 7:45 when we arrived and there were so many people there.
Such a tribute to Marli.
They had cute pictures of her, some of her things and lots of her favorite desserts.
About 8:30 p.m.,
Travis and Lisa spoke for a minute.....
sharing what they had done in Service to others to honor Marli that day.
Janci played Marli's song on Marli's keyboard.....
"A River Flows In You."
"A River Flows In You."
I don't know how she made it through that, but she did a great job!
All of the girl cousins sang that arrangement of "I Am A Child Of God" again.
The spirit there that night was so strong.
When they were finished, balloons were handed out.
Everyone yelled, "One Year Closer Mar.....We Love You!"
The balloons soared quietly into the sky as we all stood in silence and watched them.
Each one was tagged with a little card with Marli's picture and the words....
"Share a smile with someone each day. That is what our Sweet Marli would say!
Marli's Miracle...."
They had a table set up to leave messages for them to have to add to Marli's book....
each of us took time to write how Marli had been a Miracle in our life.
Sweet Moment reflecting that as I wrote my message to her.
Lots of special things were left at her gravesite that day......
one that stood out to me was a dance trophy that a 20 yr. old girl with Down Sydrome
left for Marli.....because they both loved to dance.
That brought tears to my eyes......what a treasured token for Marli.
Their awesome neighborhood, spray painted light bulbs a teal color,
then went to each home on the street to place them in their outdoor lights to honor Marli.
The little candles were placed lining their streets to Marli's house again,
as they did for them last year.
It's an incredible sight to see, lighting the night.
Marli......we love you.
We miss you.
We know that we will see you again.
What a blessing the Gospel is in our lives.....to know our Savior lives
and that because of Him and the blessings of the Temple,
Families are Forever.
What sweet comfort that brings!
Until we meet again.....Cheer us on!
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