Idaho City Pioneer Cemetery: An Inspiring Place

I sat in my living room with my parents, my Bishop, and the funeral director. I was just answering questions, and going through the motions of what needed to be done.  There is nothing fun about planning a funeral for a loved one.

After some questions and answers, we started discussing which cemetery we should use. There were a few recommended that were near the city, but everything just felt so gloomy as we proceeded with a city cemetery in mind. I was very disheartened trying to imagine a burial, and visiting the cemetery in the future.

As my heart continued to sink, out of the blue, my incredibly inspired Bishop said, "Isn't there a cemetery in Idaho City?" As he spoke, a flash of hope filled the room. My head and my heart lifted, and I said, "Yes!" Let's do that!" That is exactly what Charles would want -- to be in the beautiful mountains, far away from everything -- and exactly what I would want, a beautiful place to visit, and a place to find peace and solitude. The Bishop wrote on a piece of paper in front of him that Charles was in the room with us -- it was what he wanted, and everyone in the room felt it. Especially me.

Miracles, I have seen a few…

The next day we went to visit the cemetery with my family. As soon as we pulled up to the small, rustic, Idaho town -- I knew it was an inspired decision. It is so perfect. It is quiet, and filled with history, and apparently it is also haunted (which makes it even more perfect). Charles often went to Idaho City with his Boy Scouts, and we have been there many times as a family, just to get away from the city. Apparently the youth for our church also clean the cemetery as a service project. Charles said just a few Sundays ago that he preferred Idaho City to more fancy places like McCall. The more rustic, the better, for Charles. I am still in awe of how this came about for us, thank you FOREVER Bishop Sotto! Anything else would have been all wrong. 

There were birds flying over head when we got there, and a peaceful warm breeze blew through the trees to confirm the rightness of the place.  

 It is filled with Ponderosa Pines, and old graves.

 My children loved walking through the beautiful wilderness.

 I love family history, and so the kids are familiar with cemeteries… we have been to a few.

 This beautiful green moss is growing everywhere.

 All of the graves are so unique and interesting.

I found a quiet spot away from everyone for awhile, and I sat and cried many, many, tears. As I sat in total peace and quiet, I talked to my Heavenly Father. He comforted me. He comforts me daily.

 It is so magical, and it smells so wonderful there.

Charles will finally be where he really wants to be… away from the business of life, and in the mountains.

 Many of the graves are unmarked, or labeled with "Unknown" signs on them.

 So many fascinating graves.

Today we had to go and pick a plot. I found one on the edge of the cemetery, and in a grove of trees. It is beautiful spot. The Idaho City folks were so sweet and helpful. They gave us big bear hugs. 

This is the view from the site. 

We stayed as they dug into the ground to see if it was ready, or too frozen -- it is ready. 

Here is the plot we chose for Charles. It looks like a nice place for him to camp for awhile. 

His burial will be at 12:00pm, on Wednesday, the 16th of April.

It is all just an Earthly formality, of course. We did not have the coffin at his Life Celebration, and my children will not be at the burial.

He lives! And they know it.

I know that he lives, as surely as I know I live. One day, he will be resurrected, and his body and spirit will be one again -- in perfect, beautiful form. I am so grateful to know that. I have always known and considered the things of Heaven, but now -- it is everything to me.

Charles is mine forever, and ever. We were married in the temple for time and all eternity, death does not hold sway over us.

We have forever. 

I know it.