How is it Possible?

Jared's dad wrote this tribute to Carter and Mason which he read at the funeral. Thank you Dahl it was perfect. :)



How is it Possible…
A tribute to Carter and Mason Downing
by Grandfather Dahlen R. Downing 7/11/11
To Carter and Mason… Your arrival was first announced by Ava’s T-shirt proudly proclaiming she was going to be a big sister. The news sent a ripple of excitement and enthusiasm through the whole family. That ripple turned into a wave when we learned that not one but two would be joining the family. Twin boys were being sent from heaven to further bless our lives. Thoughts turned to how the family would cope going from one child to three in their young lives. How is it possible to give twin boys and a two year old daughter the time, attention and love they so deserve? Those thoughts were interrupted by pains that lead your parents to the hospital seeking help. It seems, for reasons yet unexplained you were destined to come into this life before your little bodies could fully develop.

On June 29th, 2011 early in the morning Carter Dahlen Downing entered the world, followed shortly by his brother Mason Brian Downing. At a little over a pound each, how would it have been possible for you to survive? Loved ones were notified and prayers were offered knowing that miracles can and do happen. Our desire for you to remain with us was not to be at this time. Carter was the first to enter this world and the first to return to Jesus’ loving arms followed a few days later by Mason.
How is it possible… with all of the wonders of modern medicine, with skilled doctors and nurses, with thousands of faithful people fasting and praying for you that we could not keep you here?

It was not to be because you are too pure, too lovely to live on earth. Your earthly parents give way to your Heavenly parents in this matter of life and death. God needs you now as companions, fulfilling an important mission that only you can do on the other side of the veil.
How is it possible… for us to love you each so deeply after having you with us for just a few short hours? We never heard you laugh or cry or shout for joy. But somehow it seems we know you very well and you are a part of us.
It is possible because somewhere on the other side of the veil of forgetfulness we knew you, we understood you and we loved you. We loved you enough to go through the emotional roller-coaster of having you, holding you and then losing you because we know we’ll be reunited again some day.
How is it possible… to feel such pain from separation and loss but still joy and gratitude at the same time?

It is possible because of the Eternal Plan of Happiness and the saving ordinances that have bound us together on earth and will continue bind us together in Heaven.
How is it possible… that while we mourn your loss and departure from us on this earth, there are those rejoicing at your arrival in heaven?
How is it possible… that you were both so valiant, so true, so perfect that lifes tests and trials to prove ones obedience were not required of you.
How is it possible… that Heavenly Father could choose such valiant parents that could go through this heart wrenching experience of having and holding you and then watching you quitley slip away?

It is possible because He knows who Jared and Maija-Liisa are. He knows their strength of character and the power of their convictions. He knows their faith and has given them knowledge of the plan of salvation. He knows that they will not let him down. He knows that they know that all things will give them experience and be for their good.
How is it possible… for anyone to understand the pain, anguish and crushing sense of loss your mother feels for each of you now. She was the one who carried you inside her body. Nourished you, cared for you, sang to you and talked to you even though yet unborn. She felt the physical pains of your arrival, the emotional anguish of your struggle for life and held you each, one at a time as you took your final breath on this earth.

It is possible because there is one who does understand fully and perfectly all human suffering. And because of His atonement your mother is empowered with an eternal perspective which allows her to look beyond the here and now into the promise of the eternities.
How is it possible… for your father, who had planned for you, hoped and dreamed for you to now go on in life without you to raise?
It is possible because he recognizes that there is more work to be done, a sweet wife to love and care for, other children to raise and provide for, lives to touch and bless, other wounds to help heal, and grieving people to succor because he now has a greater capacity to empathize. He will go on in faith because you, now, as Celestial Heirs are where he strives to be.

How is it possible… that you are loved so much by so many that thousands of people around the globe heard your story and prayed for you, fasted for you and shed tears for you?
How is it possible… for us to understand the all encompassing love our Heavenly Father has for us, to send you to us, even for such a short time?
It is possible because Heavenly Father has taught us that you are ours for eternity and one day we will all get to hold you again.
So, Carter and Mason… we will miss you for now. We will heal and move forward knowing that some day the void we feel now in our hearts will be filled with your smiling faces one day soon.

We will move forward because that is what you would want us to do. We will move on in faith but we will not forget you. For you shall forever be in our hearts. Until we meet again.

To Jared and Maija-Liisa:

DC 84:88… I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my cSpirit shall be in your hearts, and mine dangels round about you, to bear you up.

You now have to special angels, Carter and Mason on your right hand and on your left. They will be round about you to bear you up until the day you shall hold them again.

President Monson said, “The future is as bright as your faith.”