Saying Goodbye to Ruthie

On Saturday Cameron and I and some of our friends decided to go to Salt Lake to watch a movie and have a nice lunch. For the perfect ending to an already great day Cameron and I decided to go visit Nani (Nani is Cameron's grandma who lives in Salt Lake). She had been in the hospital for about a week because she fell and broke her hip, and if that wasn't bad enough she also caught pneumonia. We had visited her earlier that week and she was in such great spirits... cracking jokes and eating pizza and cake. She was absolutely the life of the party that night. It was so beautiful to see all eight of her children kneeling around her bed laughing with her and reminiscing about what wonderful lives they've all had growing up with their mother.

When we arrived at the care center that Saturday night the atmosphere was much different. All eight children were surrounding Nani's bed but this time everyone was silent. Cameron's uncle pulled me aside and explained to me that Nani was making the turn to go live with our Heavenly Father. As I stood in that room watching Nani lay quietly in her bed through my tear filled eyes; I couldn't help but think about how wonderful her life must have been. Here this beautiful woman was preparing to leave her life on earth and each and every one of her wonderful children sat beside her, holding her hands and her feet and resting their heads on her stomach. All of them were just radiating the love that they have for their mother. I have only had the chance to know Nani for a short time but I have come to love her. I am especially thankful that she raised her children to live the gospel and that they have instilled those values in their children.

Nani passed away that night. It will be very hard for those she left behind and she will be greatly missed. Although death is hard, I find peace in knowing that Nani is back with her sweetheart and that she was able to live life to the fullest. She has left behind an extraordinary family and she should be very proud of that.