Gratitude Long Overdue

I've known for awhile that I wanted to write a post today. Today marks one year from the day Kevin left us. I have pondered what I wanted to do today to mark the day. I was sure that Tera would write a meaningful post, and she did. I thought I would take a little different route, and I have decided it is long overdue for me to express gratitude for the many angels who came into our lives to help us through that week a year ago. Two months after Kevin's death, Elder Jeffrey Holland gave a talk in General Conference that struck a chord with all of us who were a part of that week. He spoke of the Ministry of Angels, the idea that we are never alone during challenges, that God sends angels both seen and unseen to aid us. The reason it struck me so, was that I had already named the people who came to help us that week angels. I was already referring to them as angels, sent to us by a loving Heavenly Father who knew that we would need people to fill in the details, so that we could focus on Kevin, and each other. I don't know how to properly thank all those who helped, but I'm going to start by acknowledging them here.

Thank you to our angels:

Randy Fortuna, for coming over Sunday evening and then accompanying the family to the hospital, and staying until wee hours of the morning.
Christopher, Amy and Stephen Fortuna, who came to stay with the children when we as adults went, on Kevin's request to the hospital for him to say good-bye.
Julie Fortuna and Karrie Alms (and probably others) , who stayed on Wednesday night at the Church ironing table cloths for the wedding reception.
Dr. Aiya, the mother of a friend of Dailie's, who reassured Kevin at the hospital and was a source of strength for all of us.
Will, the medical delivery guy who brought the hospital bed to our house so that it would be ready when Kevin arrived.
the chaplain from hospice care, who, without knowing Kevin at all, could feel that he was a man of faith.
the EMTs, who picked Kevin up from our house Sunday night. I remember them being so loving and caring, above and beyond what I felt was expected.
Susan Garcia, who was found miraculously available and capable of working with fondant on the day Kelly needed help with the wedding cake.
Susy McGowan, whose services were not needed in the end, but was willing to sit with Kevin and Tera so that the family could attend Sarah and Lee's wedding in Nauvoo. This was not needed, since Kevin slipped away the evening before the wedding, and was able to make it to the wedding in spirit, since his body could not go.

I am certain there were many more seen and unseen angels. These are a few that I remember and want to acknowledge. It is a wonder and a miracle that God loves us each so much to be a part of the details our lives. I see it is a lesson to all of us about what is important in life, and where we should be looking to help in the lives of others.

We love you, Kevin!!