Happy Sweet Sixteen Rebekah!

Just wanted to send out a birthday wish to my niece Rebekah, who would turn sweet sixteen today. Hard to believe how time has flown by, and how 15 years ago, she was taken from this earthly life to join her Heavenly Father. I learned so much about life, forever families, and the importance of God's plan for each of us at such an early age. I was 10 years old when she passed away.

I remember the day she was born. I remember thinking, how can I be old enough to be an Aunt. I remember the day she passed away, and how my aunt came into the hallway at church and pulled me aside and told me that Rebekah had gone to live with our Heavenly Father. I remember it not quite hitting me that this precious baby, whom I loved so much, could have died at only 7 months. How come?

When she was born, I remember doing the math and thinking, when she turns 16, I would be 26...old...but I would be her "cool aunt" and we would go shopping together at the mall and do girly things! I imagine today what she would look like. I imagine her being a great babysitter for my girls and also someone who many young girls look up to. Would she be driving a car today, or going on her first date?!

She was one of the greatest influences on my life...those short but sweet seven months she lived on this earth. I think just realizing how much I wanted to see her again helped me to understand that God's plan is real and we CAN be eternally together. She left a sweet impression upon my Testimony and I am so grateful that families can be together forever!