The birthday Princess(a day late)

Happy birthday my dearest Georgia!!!

I found this picture while looking through old photos!! You were at my birthday party and look so darling( I think we were about 5)!! When I think of you, I think of the song by Josh Groban , ' You Raise Me Up.' Just a few of the lines to share:

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary; When troubles come and my heart burdened be; Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; You raise me up... To more than I can be.

Georgia you really do 'raise me up' and so many others!! You sweet gentle spirit, your amazing smile that could light up a room and your Christ-like love that you showed to anyone you came in contact with! Thank you for your great example, I miss and love you! your cousin--

Karin

p.s. me and your mom were talking the other day and I told her that I felt you had a hand in sending me my boys, and she agreed and said you probably were best little friends! thank you Georgia Bean!

3 Squeezes...

The quirks and fun personality traits that Georgia still has in my heart are just timeless for me.
I have a story about my friend/fellow missonary Sister Marriott, and it just fills my soul when I remember it.
Georgia and I were dancing partners during our time in Nauvoo together, and we did this one dance where we Polka danced around the stage in a circle with all the other missonaries, and ended up in the finishing pose where I was kneeling on the ground in front of her on one knee, holding one hand, her other hand raised high in the air, and her face smiling to the audience with that Huge true simle just beaming. It was almost so cheesy it made me laugh every time. After the 18th million time doing the show, as so it felt, one day as we made that final pose for that scene, I squeezed her hand 3 times subtly so no one could see. She immediatley got the "what are you doing?, while smiling, waiting for the audience to stop clapping...face!" So...after she saw my smirk as we changed scenes, she looked back at me and I could tell that it was "Game ON!" Then a couple scenes later I finished a scene with the Elders and the Sisters were looking up at us, pretty much the exact opposite situation, I looked down at the Sisters "while still in charater" and there was Georgia....crossed eyed...! I just folded. Couldn't even stay in character!
We continued those types of exchanges through out rest of the summer shows.

Georgia. Thank you sweetie for all the FUN and pure joy that you brought into my life. I know that you continue to elevate our expectations to help us see through the vail of what we think life is, and assist us in seeing life for its true eternity, as we were created. That is one of your gifts. I love you and Praise our Father for creating you and having you in my life.

Your Friend for-E-ver!
Brad

aka. Elder Glauser

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.