It's all about Eternal Families today

 Today we gathered together at the LDS Chapel in honor of Ruby's life and to show our support and love.

For those that could not make it, I want to recount my experience for you and pray that it will comfort you and give you the thanks that the Taylor Family gives to all. I'm not a great writer, but even in my plainness I hope you know what I'm trying to say.
Today was Ruby's Celebration, August 16, 2011
My cousin Emileah  made plans to come down and go with my mom and I. My mother and Emileah had not personally met Ruby but they wanted to share their support.
It was just over a year ago Emileah was in the hospital donating part of her own liver to her little 9 month old daughter, Kenna. She and Ani had never met but had talked on the phone and sending messages back and forth supporting each other through their trials. Emileah knows exactly what it is like to have a daughter in need, pleading with her Heavenly Father for her daughters health.

We pulled up to the church, at first it seemed empty, but then I remembered how early we left because we knew how many people would be coming. I thought I could hold myself together. I first remember seeing the car that carries the casket and suddenly breaking down. It was happening. I was hoping it was all a bad dream. When we walked in the church foyer it was so pretty. Pink was everywhere. Pictures of beautiful Ruby and her family. Little girl toys on the table. They also had a framed post with a tree in the middle of it with long branches. Everyone that came through those doors put ink on their index finger and wrote there name next to it, showing that Ruby has touched their lives. It will be a positive reminder in the Taylor house that Ruby did so much good in the short time she was with us.  When we walked into the chapel we were given a picture of Ruby and a program of the celebration. 
We sat down and waited, listening to Victoria McDaniel play the most beautiful music to calm our hearts. It felt like a piece of Heaven on earth. Pink flowers were arranged everywhere (most I'm sure we're donated by friends and people that wanted to show their love to the Taylor Family.)
We all stood up when they brought in Ruby. Placed in such a beautiful, yet so tiny, casket.
I lost it.
These strong, amazing men (brothers of Ani and Matt) carried such a small casket. It broke my heart. Matt and Ani followed with tears in their eyes.
We heard the cousin's of Ruby and some Primary kids sing "I am like a star shining brightly"
Ani's wonderful dad got up to share a spiritual message. He asked all the family of Ruby to stand up. Then asked all the people that came today that never met Ruby to stand up. The room was filled with people that were there out of love, the pure love of Christ. He shared his testimony of the Gospel and how families can be together again.   One thing I wanted to share to you about Ani's wonderful amazing dad is something Ani told me just a few weeks ago. She told me how her dad has been going through hard times with his own health issues and challenges. He said some nights he was in so much pain with his legs he could not sleep.  He stayed at the hospital many times so Ani could sleep in a real bed, while he watched over Ruby and held her. She had her problems also with her health, but the two of them shared a special bond. What an amazing grandpa!
Next was the Eulogy, and the most spiritual and emotional one given by Ani's older brother, Mike. He shared his weekend with his adorable niece, Kate. Took her to the movies, talked about Princesses, jumped on the bed and when he tried to put her down for a nap she just kept saying Ruby's name over and over again. He asked her then, "Where is Ruby?" and she answered saying "with Heavenly Father"
Matt and Ani have taught their daughter at such a young age that she will see her sister again and she is safe with someone who loves Ruby just as much as the Taylor family.  Mike went on sharing his feeling towards his sister and what a strong example she is. He shared with us a conversation between Ruby and our Heavenly Father, of what must have been said before she came down to earth saying "Heavenly Father waited and waited for parents like Matt and Ani to place Ruby in".

Knowing that Ani and Matt would be able to give a lifetime of love to Ruby while she was here on earth.

And in response, Ruby still came to earth to receive a body and fulfill her time here. She was matured beyond her years. As Mike spoke I couldn't help be see the Christ like attribute in him. The way he looked at his younger sister, I felt like he was wishing he could take away all her pain. It broke my heart watching Ani's mom sitting next to hear, stroking her hair. Her eyes, were so memorable in the way her heart broke not for only losing a grandchild, but watching her daughter suffer from her loss. It was emotional. They were all together though, and with the knowledge of eternal families, they know that they will be all together with Ruby one day.
Ani's sister got up and with their youngest brother, Dave, by her side she read a beautiful poem.
Ani's Sister in law, Megan and other family friends gave a wonderful musical number on the violins to " I know that my Redeemer Lives" A calmness was felt throughout the whole church that Ruby is living with her Heavenly Father.
A dear family friend of the Bewsey Family spoke, President Bunker. He shared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  believe on our purpose of life and what will happen after. He read off of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. His powerful testimony was one that made me realize that at the beginning of the service I was crying for the reasons of losing Ruby. The lost of a young girl, but during his talk I realized that I feel so blessed to know and believe of these truths. I cried more throughout the remainder of the service but I felt different, more uplifted for knowing these great people. To know all the lives that Ruby touched while she was here on earth. 
As we sung the closing song "I am a Child of God"  They changed the 3rd verse:

I am a child of God

My days on earth were few

But Heavenly Father placed me there 

To spend that time with you

He'll lead you, guide you, walk beside you

Help you so you'll see

I'm in God's arms and loving you

Till you are HOME with me

During the third verse you could barely hear the words because everyone in the room was so touched that it brought them to tears. We all love Ruby and miss her dearly, and we know she is smiling down on us all. 

Ani did get up after her sister read the poem (this was not on the program or even expected). She looked beautiful. She wore a simple black dress with a matching pink rose on one side of her hair (Kate wore the headband that matched). She spoke slowly but with much confidence. She told us her dad forgot to ask one more question, "Who's life was touched because of Ruby?" the whole room stood up and I could tell the love and support Ani must have felt at that time. To look out over the pulpit and know that everyone was there for her baby girl. She talked about her last day with Ruby here on earth. She recalled getting in the fetal position near the window of the room and begged and pleaded in prayer to save her little Ruby. Not only did she say she got this answer once, but twice that day a whisper saying her work on earth is done. Although Ani said she tried to deny it and hope for the best, she looks back in gratitude knowing that Heavenly Father knew that is what Ani needed. Although still hard, she has so much faith and shared her testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She told us she will be with her Ruby again if she stays faithful to the end, and with that knowledge she promised Ruby that she would. 

I was so deeply touched by all I saw there. We are all lucky to have known the story of Ruby, but before Ani sat down she pleaded with all of us that were there to take the picture we got today of Ruby and put it in a frame in our homes to remember how she has touched our life and that we will never forget her. 

"Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer" Romans 12:12