The girls and I went down Thursday evening to Salt Lake and Luke came down Friday night after work.
Friday we helped with preparations for the viewing and funeral. That afternoon I had a special privilege of going with the women and James to the mortuary to help dress Vittoria and fix her hair. What an wonderful experience! One that I am so grateful to have been a part of. She was dressed in a beautiful, white, princess-like baptism dress. We curled her hair into soft ringlets, just like her hair naturally did. She looked so pretty and was just like a princess... well, actually, just like an angel.
That night was her viewing. That ended up being a lot harder than I expected. I felt like I had dried up my tear source, but boy was I wrong! This whole experience hasn't felt real... almost like a bad dream we could would eventually wake up from. Walking into the viewing that night, with her pictures and drawings, and favorite possessions displayed, and the photo-slideshow playing in the background brought it all into reality. The video was so hard to watch, but I just couldn't stop looking at it either. She was so bright and joyful in every picture. My mind was flooded with memories.... my heart ached for the memories that will be made without her.
Saturday was the funeral. It was perfect in every way. Every word brought peace and comfort to the pain, the questions, and the sadness we have all been feeling. I now feel at peace with her passing. The testimonies born by those who spoke and sang were incredible. I am now much more determined to live my life worthy of returning to the place where she now is.
Her dad-- Luke's official new hero-- wrote her a letter along with her mom, and read it himself. (I was originally suppose to read it, along with letters from her cousins, but thankfully James was wise enough to know I couldn't have done it.. i barely made it through the cousin letters) but amazingly he was able to read it himself. It was so perfect and beautiful.
Another really special thing was a song that their friend had written the night of Vittoria's passing. He wrote the lyrics and composed the music for it in one night. He performed it during the funeral and it was simply amazing. As soon as I get a copy I will post it.
Every speaker, every prayer, every song... everything was just perfect! It truly was a service fit for such a special young lady!
Following the service we had a delicious meal. On the tables were little framed pictures of Vittoria with the caption "Our little princess returns home to a heavenly kingdom." How true!
After the meal we traveled to Price where she was laid to rest next to my dad's brother and parents. She had a beautiful graveside ceremony. We then went to another meal at the church in Price then went back to cemetery.
Sunday-- Vittoria's 8th birthday, was a special day for her family. (More food) We had a delicious brunch in my parent's backyard. We spent the day visiting and relaxing before we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication. Vittoria had drawn a picture of that temple after going to the open house. It was such a good likeness of it! Above the picture was the heading, "The temple, first and always." She was so wise beyond her years.
By the time the dedication was over it was nearing time to return back to the cemetery. She was born at 5:46 pm and passed away at the same minute the week before her birthday. We went to the cemetery and released 30 balloons at 5:46 pm to send them to the heavens. We watched solemnly as the balloons floated through the sky and it was amazing how long they stayed in view and how they stayed together in a clump instead of spreading all across the sky. It was a moment I will never forget. I just barely discovered something extra special about this event-- Apparently Vittoria had begged her parents to let her have a water birthday party where the kids could run in the sprinklers and sit in her wading pool. Well, she got her wish! Just as her balloons were disappearing completely, the sprinklers came on and got us all wet. What a neat thing for her parents!
Her brother and cousins on her birthday
There is no doubt that this little girl was loved by everyone she came in contact with. She was a very special girl and we are honored to be her aunt and uncle. We will sorely miss you, Vittoria, but we know that you had proven yourself in this life and are now at peace and rest in Heavenly Father's arms.
2001-2009
SOUTH JORDAN - Vittoria Giulia Frandsen, born Aug. 23, 2001 at 5:46 p.m., peacefully returned into our Heavenly Father's arms Aug. 16, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. just one week shy of her 8th birthday.
Vittoria was born with neonatal marfan syndrome. She courageously faced every trial placed in her path.
On July 21, Vittoria went in for scheduled heart surgery. After fighting long and hard for almost four weeks, she succumbed to complications.
Vittoria was born in Price to James Lee and Valeria Balbo Frandsen. She attended the Montessori at Riverton school.
Vittoria enjoyed all subjects in school. She loved her friends and teachers there.
Vittoria was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was preparing to be baptized. Vittoria loved going to Primary and singing the primary songs and hymns.
Vittoria adored her little brother, Jacomo, and loved to play and take care of him. She loved to be surrounded by family and friends. She enjoyed playing with cousins at the family cabin.
Vittoria always had a hug and loving words for everyone.
Vittoria was a very talented and imaginative artist. She loved to read and watch movies with her dad. She was very sensitive and aware of the feelings of others.
Vittoria loved swimming, riding horses, snowmobiles and four-wheelers. She loved to fish with her dad at Scofield Reservoir. She loved to dance and listen to music. Her favorite pastime was to crawl up on the couch and cuddle with her mom, dad and brother.
She was always happy; even through her many trials and surgeries.
Vittoria is survived by her parents, James and Valeria; brother, Jacomo; grandparents, Neil and Bonnie Frandsen of Price; and Giulio and Anna Maria Balbo and great-grandma Idelma Balbo of Rome, Italy. She is also survived by many cousins, aunts and uncles and special friends. Preceded in death by great-grandparents, Garth and Theressa Frandsen, James and Della Potter, Andrea Balbo and Gino and Vera Cera.
In recent weeks, this beautiful young lady has touched the lives of so many people throughout the world. We will miss her more that words can say.
Funeral services will be Saturday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m., at the South Jordan Utah Parkway LDS Stake Center, 9894 South 2700 West. A viewing will be Friday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 1007 West South Jordan Parkway, and one hour prior to the funeral at the stake center. Dedication of the grave will be at Price City Cemetery at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
4 comments:
So I have to say that after Friday and Saturday I am in love with Jacomo! Sy agrees too. The services were beautiful Mary and you reading the cousin letters made it extra special. You have a truly amazing family.
That was a beautiful post. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
That is so awesome that she got the water and baloon party that she so wanted ;)
Mary that was very inspiring. You are in my prayers.
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