I just got done listening to that song of Georgia singing and cried alot! Thank you so much for posting that:) I havent heard her voice in 7 years and it was so angelic!! What an amazing person she is! I took flowers to her grave on Saturday and thought how weird it still is to see the head stone. She amazes me, the more stories I hear about her, the more I am marveled by her! My hope is that someday I can touch even a fraction as many people as dear sweet Georgia has! Her testimony keeps me going and inspires me all the time! Oh how I love her and cant wait to see her again! Love you Georgia Bean

Seven years

So much has happened, so much time has passed.

And yet, every time September 25 rolls around I can't help but feel the same ache I felt seven years ago, like I'd been punched so hard the wind was knocked out of me and I couldn't breathe. I know she wouldn't want me to be sad, but sometimes I can't help it. I just miss her, and I miss her in my life. I started crying over my french fries at lunch today; and then laughed at the idiocy of it.

I brought her more sunflowers tonight, a gift from Cami, Haleigh and myself. Tears streamed down my face as I drove past the other graves to an all-too-familiar spot, and I was afraid to get out the car, sure I would lose my composure. But I took a deep breath and reminded myself that it was a privilege to pay homage to her memory in this way; not everyone who loves her lives close enough to have this privilege. So, for Cami and Haleigh, I got out of the car.

And something happened as I opened my car door. I was filled with peace; love and understanding and patience and courage and long-suffering poured over my soul and took the pain away. The sadness wasn't gone, but the sharp pain was. My life will go on, her life will go on. Some day we'll be reunited., of that there is no doubt in my mind. But until then, I will visit every Fall, with sunflowers in hand. I will grow old and gray and wrinkly. But I'll still come. If only to feel again that beautiful peace I felt this evening.

Still 21

The years have passed quickly since Georgia went back to Heavenly Father. Sally is married with 3 babies. I've lived in multiple countries and worked for large and small corporations. But Georgia stays 21, invigorated, full of bright testimony, bravely taking on the world.
I feel a little clumsy in my writing, which is why I've not posted anything before, but out of love for Georgia's family and her memory, I though it worth an attempt to write a couple thoughts.
I remember Georgia wrapping her blanket around her shoulders and feigning dismay as she chanted, "sackcloth and ashes," when faced with an exam or other nuisance.
I remember stepping outside the apartment door with a new boyfriend, hoping for a first kiss. Something in Georgia's eyes spoke mischief as I was leaving, and when I covered the peephole with my thumb, Georgia squealed from inside the door, caught in her spying.
So many memories, small and great. She left at 21, but she lives on in those of us who were permanently affected by her friendship and affection.

On September 25, 2009

Thoughts go to Georgia today and really for me all week. I laughed as I remember her coming for Thanksgiving in Arizona one year and we tried to make mashed potatoes and kept agreeing that we needed to keep beating the potatoes - then at the feast, gagging at the grossness of them. We had a good laugh. I remember her in joy for all things even the hard things, she kept her head high and just roll up her sleeves, hair in ponies, and getting to it. Whatever she touched she spread her light, it was if it just followed her around. Love you Georgia, Paige

Georgia and Bach G Minor

I just listened to Georgia's Bach G Minor--thanks for putting that up, Kate. What a unique experience to hear that piece, just as I heard it in Recital Hall years ago. I think I was experiencing it both past and present at the same time somehow, and it made me think of how music transcends time, from Bach, to Georgia, to me then, to me now. I was impressed by Georgia's talent when I heard it the first time, but even more by the hidden depth of her artistry and personality. There's something transcendent about her performance of the work, music that goes beyond the bounds of her physical maturity. There was a greatness to her soul that I hadn't discovered until I heard her play this. I bet she and Bach are good friends by now.

Journal Entry Four

May 24, 2002

"I dare say, each day is just plain better with the preface of scripture study. In fact, that is necessary for my soul. It needs peace and help constantly. In Alma 37:34, Alma speaks to his son, Helaman that good works, meekness, lowliness of heart will yield rest to his soul. Isn't that interesting? In the very acts that come difficultly to us are the ones that will give us rest. I can attest to that! Yeah, hiking, dating, blah, blah, blah is exciting and fun, but it never yields the peace of soul that true service of humility does. As I read, my soul was slowly saturated in strength."

New Music Player

As the week of September 25 arrives, I decided it was high time I get the music posted. I apologize for the delay in this. It took some work to get it up, but that is not a great excuse. So, if you scroll down a little you'll find a music player where you can listen to the memorial concert at IU that was put on by Georgia's friends. You'll also hear her playing Bach in her junior recital, Alan de Veritch (my viola professor at IU) and me playing a Handel duet at the Indiana funeral (the duet Georgia and I used to play all the time), and last, but not least, Georgia singing Pie Jesu with her missionary companion in Nauvoo. The recording is very poor because it was done on a tiny hand-held recorder, but I get teary every time I listen to her voice.

Music was and I believe is still a part of Georgia's life, so I am thrilled to add this to the blog. I hope you enjoy the recordings and that it will bring back some good memories as it did for me.

Here's to your beautiful music, Georgia.

Thinking of you today and remembering your love.
-Sally