Mother's Day at the Cemetery

We took a trip to the Idaho City Cemetery for Mother's Day. It was the first time the kids had been back to the cemetery since before Charles's burial. (They were not at the burial.) I thought today would be a good day to go up and show them daddy's heavenly "camping" spot. 

I must say, I love it up in Idaho City. It is such a beautiful place. It is so peaceful, and tranquil, and the air feels thick with life and spirit. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for an inspired Bishop, he listened as Charles whispered in his ear the request to be buried in Idaho City, and then he spoke the request out loud, and lifted my spirits to new heights of hope. The thought of visiting a grave anywhere else was utterly depressing for me. When the Bishop said, "Isn't there a cemetery in Idaho City?" I about jumped out of my skin with excitement. I knew it was what Charles would want, and it was also what I wanted. And now I am so grateful! Traveling to the cemetery was the perfect Sunday drive, and every time I go, I leave feeling elevated somehow. Charles presence is very strong there. That is what it is. 

We made it to the cemetery, we all got out of the car, and headed towards the spot I picked for Charles. When I chose his resting place, I did my best to find a spot that looked like a good place to set-up camp, until Jesus comes back. It is located in a beautiful circle of trees. I have been having the hardest time trying to decide what to put on the headstone, so that has not been completed, yet. I am still looking for the right quote. It is not an easy task! So, for now, Charles' resting place is a pile of dirt with no marker, except the trees that encircle him. It really would be the perfect place for a tent. 

When we got to the spot, the kids went straight over to the pile of dirt covering his grave. At first I told them not to step on it, but then I felt inclined to let them do whatever they wanted. I told them to be free -- that is what Charles would want them to be. They instantly went and walked right on top of the dirt that was directly over his grave. They began digging, and writing with sticks in the mud. Sammi said, "I jumped on daddy when he was alive, why should I stop now?" They felt totally comfortable being there, stepping right on top of where his body lay 6 feet underneath them.

 They wrote daddy some special notes… Sammi wrote, "You are Iron Man."

Henry was in a stroller, but he desperately wanted to get out and play, too. I let him free -- per Charles' request that he whispered in my ear -- and Henry went straight to the puddle of water on top of Charles' grave. He was so happy to be freely playing in the dirt and mud. It is a strange thing looking at this picture… he has no idea that his daddy's body is right under him. Charles' lifeless body may be in the ground, but his spirit surrounded us in a very powerful way. Charles was with us today. We were filled with joy, and happiness, just like any other day spent in Daddy's presence.

We used our Trek flag for a grave marker while we were there. I would have left it, but it would get ruined. It was there for us today though, and it was perfect.

I took some candid shots of the kids…

I love the look in his eyes…

We feel daddy in the wind when we are there. It has always blown in at just the right time. We say that daddy is in the wind, it causes us all to pause and feel it.

Henry was enjoying the dirt. He loved eating it.

Daniel took some time away from the other kids playing elsewhere, to go and sit next to his dad's grave. The sunlight is directly shining where Charles is laid to rest. Oh, how I wish I could read my children's minds…

Posing on the mound of dirt from the hole of her dad's grave…

William loved digging in the dirt right next to daddy. He yelled loudly, "Happy Mother's day, Mom!" Dad told me to say that." I told him to tell daddy, "Thanks!" 

Henry being disgusting, and enjoying the earth.

It was so good for the kids to be there. They did not want to leave. We stayed for a good long time.

My beautiful princess. My one and only girl. I adore her.

I don't normally let my kids eat dirt, but it felt like the right thing to do.

Perhaps it felt right so I could get these adorable and nasty pictures. 

The wind blew in just right and the kids caught a hug from daddy…

And a hug from each other…

I'm a lucky Mama…

Yes, that is grave dirt they just fell on…

Daniel reminds me of Charles. Of all the kids, he looks the most like him. Though he has my eyes…

I love this picture of Dan, he is such a good boy.

Daniel is feeling his daddy in the wind…

Dan the man. What a beautiful boy.

Sammi taking a moment to reflect…

William still digging…

Life goes on… each day is a new day full of life and adventure. I am a blessed Mother. I could not have asked for better children to be with me on this strange new journey we are embarking on, together. We took a moment and said a special prayer around Charles' grave. In the prayer I promised Charles I would bring them all back to him -- each and every one of them. If I have to throw them on my back and crawl to Heaven, I will do it. The children heard me say these words. I also promised him that our family, the van Ormer family, would do everything we can to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The van Ormer family has the Courage to Continue!  

So, our whole family is technically in this picture… that mud puddle is right over Charles' grave. And that is why Idaho City cemetery is perfect for our family. Rules don't apply here. Freedom… beautiful freedom. We felt that freedom today while we were there, and I know that Charles is free, and he was smiling and enjoying that freedom with us today. 

P.S. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments, even if you don't know me well. I can see you are looking… from all over the place! If you do not have an account for commenting, you can just go to the, "comment as," button and click, "anonymous," then type a comment, and leave your name. It is always nice to know who is reading… I know how many people are reading, but I do not know who you are?? If you have thoughts or comments, please share them. If you don't have thoughts or comments, please don't share them. *Wink!* - Mari