Saturday, December 19th, 2020
Today was our funeral for Maisie. We arrived around 9:30am so we could get situated. We had brought all of the things we had of Maisie to put out on display. Tiny hats, tiny diapers, blankets from the hospital, pictures, signs, guestbook, etc. After that display was set up, we admired flowers that had been delivered to the church for the funeral. So many surprises. We brought flowers that had been previously delivered to our house by Chris & Heather (our friends), Matt and Shelly (Chelsie’s aunt and uncle), and The Ringblom Pod (Chelsie’s private music class pod). At the church we were surprised with beautiful displays from Ryan’s mom and sister (a white cross of flowers), the Palmers (a family from our church), Christ Lutheran Church (the church Chelsie holds her music class in Maple Plain), Christine’s friends, and Leslie’s company. And of course then we got our final little look of Maisie. I requested her face to be delicately covered. So we just got a glimpse of her bottom of her dress and her amazing feet. Then she was closed up for good. Since we chose not to do any embalming, apparently there are rules that the casket must be closed to the public. Of course, this is what we wanted anyway too. And then the visitation went from 10am-11am. So many hugs and tears and “thank you for coming.” We were so blessed by all the support from everyone who came. I made sure I connected with everyone I saw come in, so if I happened to miss you – I’m so sorry! You must have snuck in. J Family gathered in a separate room for a small prayer service before we entered the sanctuary. Then, Ryan carried Maisie in in her little casket, and I carried Lachlan and held Isla’s hand. We processed in behind the cross and took our places in the front pews. I didn’t bring my purse in as I usually do in church, and Lachlan immediately was like – where are the snacks? So I had to run out with him right away while the first hymn was still being sung. Carine’s friend Carissa had offered to help with Lachlan during the service. As I went to put him in the nursery, out behind me ran several people offering to help. Carissa was among them so I dropped Lachlan and darted back in before the first hymn finished. Phew. I don’t know what ended up happening from there because later on I looked back and saw Lachlan cuddled up on Uncle Robbie’s shoulder. The service was beautiful. Ryan and I carried Maisie out at the end. I didn’t want anyone else to hold her in some of her final moments. That was my job as a parent. Selfishly, I didn’t want to give that to anyone else. Afterwards we chatted a bit longer with some people and then I started packing everything up. We had to get going to get to the cemetery for the interment. Once I packed up all the stuff we brought, I told family we had to get going. On to the next thing. Mackenzie had packed up a lot of stuff as well and was already on her way to get set up at the cemetery. We arrived to Mound Union Cemetery and walked over to the burial spot. Mackenzie had a table set up with Maisie, a flower arrangement we chose to leave outside with Maisie after the burial, and a single purple rose that would go on top of her coffin in the grave. We also chose to leave the cross of flowers there over Maisie, so that was set up beside the table as well. Pastor Krueger said some words… It was cold. There was no need to linger. We said our final goodbye and drove the few minutes it took to get home. #maisiemarthaofsthun Published 1/19/2021
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AuthorMother. Jesus Lover. Mourner of my stillborn Maisie Martha Ofsthun. Archives
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