Our dear daughter and sister, Raquel Wilson, passed away from a terminal illness. I’m so grateful for all the friends and family who attended her funeral and memorial services. And made them so happy and hopeful.

Her memorial services, reflected her peaceful air of determination and trust in God. I could not have asked for a more perfect day. We hugged and expressed love like Raquel always did to all the sweet people who came to view her body for the last time and say goodbye. I was very touched by her friends. Because her friends had brought her so much joy in her life. I sincerely wanted everyone who was mourning for her to feel God’s peace, since we were feeling it so strongly.

We had asked my mother to give Raquel’s life history, since she expresses things so eloquently, and she did a fantastic job. Raquel’s friends from drama wanted to sing at the service and the graveside. And their singing was so beautiful and perfect. Mike spoke about all the lessons he learned from Raquel, and it was very powerful, humorous and touching.

Song for Raquel

I was able to sing a song with my mom and sisters about faith in Christ and testimony. We honestly did not know if we would be able to do it, or if we would be singing through our tears. None of us cried; instead we were blessed with strength and clarity.

We had all of Raquel’s cousins sing one verse of “I am a child of God” and it was perfect. We had a couple of her dear friends speak, and I’m so glad we did! They gave us insight to her sparkling, spunky personality and made us laugh. A few days before she passed, her dear friend Chloe had asked her what song she liked, so she could learn it on the piano. Out of a few choices, Raquel chose Amazing Grace as her favorite.

So we asked her brother Nathan and his girlfriend to sing that song. I knew it would be beautiful, but I had no idea how gorgeous it would turn out. Nathan did struggle with his emotions a bit, and had to sing through some tears. But he was able to do it, and do it beautifully. It made the song even more impactful. I’m so proud of him. This was an insert in the program as a keepsake for Raquel’s friends and family.

The Graveside Service

After that memorial services, we adjourned to the cemetery for a dedicatory prayer over the grave and a balloon release. Again, the prayer given by my father, and the music sung by her friends was perfect and touching. I had picked out some music to play during the balloon release, sung by Mindy Gledhill. Her music gave me so much joy and comfort over this past year, especially when Raquel was in the hospital, and over the last two months before her passing.

The lyrics to a couple of her songs were running through my head the night Raquel passed. That night when I was trying to go to sleep, I also felt a strong impression that Raquel would really love us to do a balloon release. As had been done at her friend’s funeral, Brittany Lacey, who had passed away two years prior. Again, I cannot imagine how perfect it would end our day. Here is a short clip of that special event.

After that, we took some family photos together and went back to the church for the big dinner with all our family members and some dear friends. All day, I felt that Raquel was smiling over the proceedings and shedding her shining light of love and approval upon us.

All the love

The joy that brought to my heart, and seeing all the love that so many people had for her. And their appreciation for the life she lived, was enough to counter at the sorrow and loss. I’ve had the feeling that there would be plenty of hard moments in the future, where I will miss Raquel dearly and tearfully.

The week since the memorial services has been full of happy family moments, goodbyes to extended family members, loving friends who came to our house to help clean and sort, and many hugs. I’ve been feeling the urge and desire to write about the experience. But the words were just not coming until a loving friend and her questions in a message, drew them out of me.

There have been other communications with certain people and something else that I could not have foreseen. Along with the discovery of comments and videos of Raquel playing music we did not know existed. It has cheered our hearts, and as I posted them on Facebook, it has cheered hearts of others. Now I’m going to continue searching for more of her treasures and share them with you.

Raquel is Free

I know that Raquel is happy. I’m sure she felt great relief to be free of her struggling physical body. I feel a strong surety that she was greeted by many extended family members and dear friends on the other side of the veil, when she passed. She has been watching over us and the events of these past few days with gladness in her heart and music filling her soul. I’m so happy to think of her now singing and dancing the way she loved to do so much before her physical body made it so hard.

She is flying high with her angel wings. I know that our Heavenly father loves us. I know that his sole purpose is to help us achieve lasting joy here as well as in the eternities, and that our experiences here. Though they may be painful, teach us how to feel increased joy, and prepare for that incomprehensible happiness that will last forever. Jesus Christ has restored the power and authority that he brought to the earth, back to his holy prophets in the latter days. That same authority can seal us together as families beyond the grave.

Jesus Christ was resurrected for all of us, and because of that, we, along with Raquel, will all receive perfect, immortal bodies someday. Who knows? She may have hers already, and I’m so happy about that. I know that she will be sharing this knowledge and help with many others who have died, and who miss their families. I know she will be sharing the light of the gospel with so many, and sharing peace and truth with lost souls.

CLICK HERE to go to the recording of Raquel Wilson’s memorial services.