Thursday, August 12, 2010

Tender Last Moments...

~Families Are Forever~
Emmie left the hospital yesterday with her parents & was brought to their home so they could all be more comfortable. (Photo taken upon arriving home from the Hospital by family friend Kristyn McBride.) There has been a tremendous amount of visitors both at home & the hospital and I think Emmie felt like she couldn't leave yet if it was her own party. I was so grateful my older kids had the opportunity last night to go in, sit on the bed next to Emmie, hold her hand & say their goodbyes.

I left that evening a little after bedtime to take the kids home & put them to bed. Tim left later and got to spend more time there with his family. We got to bed a while after midnight & then got a phone call about 1:00am saying things were looking like Emmie was getting close to going. Her breathing was shallow & not consistent. Tim got picked up soon afterwards by his parent & sisters and they & other family members all stayed the night there at the foot of the bed Emmie lay in. They said the Spirit was so remarkably strong there throughout the night...(& you could feel it so strongly there today.)
They thought Emmie had entered Heaven's presence a few times during the night...but she would jump right back into that body of hers still fighting. There were over 20 people sleeping on floors/couches waiting for the moment when Emmie would choose to leave her Earthly body. This angelic, fragile little body has a fighter spirit. I think she just hurt to see her Mom, Dad, sisters & family in pain and it was hard for her to leave them.


This morning I felt like the luckiest lady alive as I got to spend my own little one on one time with Emmie. Just me and her- even if it were just for a few minutes. It was out of the normal that there were not a lot of people around..Because of course now they were mostly all sleeping. I whispered some special words to her & I knew she was listening. I know people have had many special experiences the last few days regarding Emmie that are too sacred to type in a blog setting, but ones that will never be forgotten. The Gospel is true & I know it as we have all been surrounded by the presence of Heaven in recent days.
We began praying this afternoon for those on the other side of the veil to help convince her to pass over completely. Sweet little Emmie was holding on for everyone else & had to keep being reminded that it was okay for her to let go....and I think that's just what she needed. She began to pass away in her mother & father's arms as just the 3 of them lay in bed together...now that's how Emmie wanted it to be. The way it all played out was beautiful.

Emmie Rae Check left her Earthly body this afternoon at 3:50pm & entered into the presence of her Father in Heaven.

I can't imagine the pain Tiff & Jason have to be feeling right now...Maybe mine times a million. All I know is it has been the most heart wrenching thing I've ever witnessed to see a mother in so much agony as she loses a child. As much as the Plan of Salvation must comfort them at a time like this, it must all seem just so far away. That seeing her again is so far away. We pray that there can be continued comfort given to the Check's at this most unbearable time. We hope that Tiffany & Jason can lay up their most heavy burdens upon the Lord so that He can carry it for them.
Nothing like a Mother's Love
This evening was Heavenly & Beautiful yet Tragic & Devastating all at the same time. The hardest thing I've ever witnessed was tonight when Jason walked out of his bedroom carrying his sweet daughter in his arms, Tiffany clinging to his side. Family members grieving as he walked her outside to the Mortician. It just happened to be right at the time of the most beautiful sunset. The pink rays of the sun shone down on Emmie's body & those who loved her. There must have been 40 people out on the grass to witness, support and grieve over this most precious Daughter of God. The hardest part was when little sister Ava began to bawl saying "No Emmie, Don't Leave!"    

~We pray that the amazing spirit of Peace that has been in their home this last day will continue; Because without it, life will now seem unbearable for them.~

Tonight I will squeeze my kids a little tighter & stay on my knees a little longer.

19 comments:

Frolicking Night Owl said...

Oh Audra. I'm so sorry. I, too, can not imagine having to let go of one of my babies. So hard. But there are better things in store for her.

Jamie said...

Oh, Audra....What words are there? I am crying right now, crying for her parents, her sisters, her extended family, but NOT for Emmie. She's so happy now! I will continue to pray for your family. Much love...

Heather Jeppsen said...

I am thankful for your and Tracey's words. You have all had a powerful effect on me. My heart has been breaking since I found the news out on your blog. Yesterday I had a hard day just knowing that you were all going through such a hard time. I'm glad it was such a powerful spiritual experience. How lucky to have the last few days you all did with her. She is at peace now and is still smiling down on you all. You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Emmie was such a sweet spirit and you all got to witness that first hand for over 8 years. I hope you can continue to find peace and comfort at this time. Thinking of you all.

Tracey said...

Beautiful.. You said everything I wanted to say and I am a wreck this morning and can't write so i will put a link from my blog to yours!
Thank you ~ I love you. xoxo

LadyL said...

Audy, I can't hold back the tears every time I read about little Emmie. What a special little girl, and what a blessing to have her as part of your eternal family! My heart aches for all of you, as you mourn Emmie's passing. We're praying for Tiffany & Jason, and for all your family.

Carol said...

Thank you for sharing this experience. Your faith and testimony is inspiring. I have tears in my eyes and a prayer in my heart for her family.

Lacey said...

so beautiful. Everything I have been feeling and thinking is exactly what you wrote. Tragic yet beautiful at the same time.

Jana said...

Tim and Audra,
We are so sorry. Your words have been so touching, and I am grateful you shared them with us. All of your family have been very special to us. What a great example of love and understanding. I am so grateful to have the gospel to help us through life and especially at times like these. Please know you are all in our prayers and will continue to be. And special prayers for sweet Tiffany and Jason and their family. We love you guys.
Jana and Scott

whiteners said...

Loving and praying for them. Thank you for your words and for sharing the tender mercies.

Lacey said...

Audra, this post made me cry it was perfectly written! I have never felt the spirit so strong as I have the past couple days in the check's bedroom.
Ash

Raich said...

Your family is so blessed to have you share these feelings in a beautiful way. I'm sorry you will be missing Emmie...I can't imagine.

Scott & Natalie sherwood said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I could feel the spirit while reading your words. We will continue to say a few extra prayers for ALL of Emmie's family. I think I will also squeeze my kids in a little closer today.

Sherri @ Dude I Made It said...

Prayers coming your way. We love your sweet family!

Callie said...

Audra,

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful journey. As heart-wrenching as it is for us to read, and for your family to have experienced, there is nothing quite like death that brings a family together, and closer to God. What a blessing to have been able to say goodbye. We lost Tom's brother in April very unexpectedly, and his family wishes that they had that opportunity. So happy that Emmie gets to sing and dance now. My prayers will be with her parents.

Nichole Barney said...

Such a beautiful post! I feel so sick inside when I think about Tiff and Jason and how they must feel but I know that the gospel will carry them through this and they have such amazing family members who will be there for them every step of the way. Emmie was such a special gift they were given for these last 8 years and she will continue to watch over and protect her family. My thoughts and prayers will continually be with you all!

Ezra, Kian & Eden said...

Thank you Audra for letting us be a part of such a beautiful, sacred thing. I feel blessed to have gotten to know about such a special girl through your blog. I am sorry for the loss you are all feeling. Your sweet family will continue to be in our prayers. Emmie was a wonderful example of the perfection that is in us all...what a gift to have known her so intimately! Peace and comfort to you all.

Jen-ben said...

Crying. Thank you for sharing Audra. I'm so glad that they got these last moments captured through photos. They will cherish them forever. What a precious life.

Our Fun Times said...

I read your post and I just sat there and cried. What a special little spirit, and what a tender moment for your family!!! We have a little boy with Cerebral Palsy in my family, and those little spirits are so special and I can't even imagine what your family has gone through. What a blessing to know that those sweet spirits will go back to their Heavenly Father! Thanks for sharing this with us Audra!

Anonymous said...

I can't tell you the last time I have cried so hard, reading this post, it just pulls at those heart strings. What a sweet, precious, daughter of God. My heart aches so much for her family, all of you, She is so happy right now, I hope her family can feel a bit of the peace she feels. I can't imagine ever losing a child, it takes my breath away just thinking about it. My prayers are with her family. Hang in there, your words are beautiful. Love you~