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.