A Tragic week

This is Tyler's dad. Many already know that Tyler and family were devastated by the passing of his dear sweet angelic mom, Samantha. We received his email last Monday, (March 29th) and Samantha immediately posted new information here. She passed away late that evening. I called Tyler the next day with the heart rending news. Tyler decided against returning home, opting to instead do what he knew his mother would desire most ... staying on his mission to continue to serve. I received an email with a message to be read at Sam's funeral, it was lovely. It was inspired. It follows.

"Ive been searching a long time for the right words to say. This is a letter I had never hoped to write, but I do pray for the Lord's guidance today that I might be able to express to you my deepest emotions, and purest feelings.

I wish more than anything that I could explain exactly how much I love my mother. Those who knew her will remember as loving, gentle, smart, funny, a mathematician, a BYU football fan, "Aunt Sam," a pool-goer, a reader, a muffin-head master, a piano player, and, I think most of all, a best friend. To her children, she was perfection, to her parents, she was brilliance, to my father, she was radiance, and to the Lord, she was a devoted servant, of irrevocable testimony, and matchless light. I miss her terribly.

In the MTC, we were asked many questions, two most of all--Where are you from, and where are you going? I always loved the transcendent parallel, as these are the questions we are asked most by investigators in the field. Where am I from, and where am I going? In the past 24 hours I have thought more about these questions with regards to my mom than anything else. Id like to share with you a little bit of what the answers are.

My mother was born to heavenly parents sometime before the creation of this earth, in a place of heavenly rest and paradise. There she grew in intelligence, waxing strong in the things of the Spirit, and becoming a delightful servant in thepresence of God. In the Council in Heaven, she chose, like us, to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. (I am so proud to say that we did that together). And many years later, on August 17th, 1966, Samantha Eastman entered the world to my grandparents, Eric and Lucile. In other words, my mother came from a noble heritage, both temporal and spiritual. Our family has a beautiful history of mothers--intelligent, strongwilled, friendly, spiritual, loving, piano-playing mothers--Mom was no exception! You will remember her love of children, and I can testify that this extended most especially to her own. She loved us! She laughed with us, cried with us, studied with us, sung with us, walked with us, smiled with us--I think in all my years I shall never forget that smile. She loved us and we love her. Saying goodbye as I left for Guatemala was one of the harder things I have ever done. Saying goodbye again now might be the hardest.

Today my mother finds herself in spiritual paradise, with peace and rest, reunited again with the mothers, and others in our family who have passed on. There she waits until that millenial day of rejoicing, when we all shall be reunited and resurrected, and live together again. There she will ascend with my father fo that exalted throne, a Queen and a Priestess of our God, forever without end.

I ask that until that day, we help immortalize her here! Think of her every time you go to the pool, everytime you are trying to remember a phone number, everytime you read Jane Eyre, everytime you walk by the primary. Think of her words and deeds, of her clever spirit, and devoted friendship. Think of her when you see my family--please pray for them and watch over them. Dad, Jeremy, Alex, Lanie--I love you and miss you. Know that I love Mom a lot. Im already counting the days until we can be together again.

Thank you for everything youve done and for coming to remember my beloved mother today. I close with the words of one of her favorite songs, another piece of the maternal legacy in our family--

I often go walking, in meadows of clover

And I gather armfuls, of blossoms of blue

I gather the flowers the whole meadow over

Dear mother, all flowers remind me of you.

Please leave an extra flower with my mother for me today. She was my best friend. Mom, I miss you beyond words; may the Lord bless you and keep you till we meet again. Until that day, adieu, adieu, adieu.

Ever your son,

Tyler "

At his request, his grandmother delivered that message, reading it as part of the service held last Friday. Friday Evening Tyler called and spoke with family members and we were able to share our experiences with him.

When I compose myself a bit better, I'll update our family blog page (http://moorethanyoucanhandle.blogspot.com/) with more information about her passing, including the funeral. I'll not post more information here, preferring to keep the focus of this blog on Elder Moore, on his life as a missionary.

Lastly, as his dad, I can't thank everyone enough for the many thoughts and prayers offered for his well being.

Entered by Kenneth, Tyler's dad