Laura Rebecca Harper

April 8, 1984~February 4, 2010

When people pass away we are reminded of the good times we shared with them. I guess that is a blessing. Somehow the good times shine brightly and vividly in your memory, while the ones that were maybe a little less positive or flattering fade off into a black and white still image located somewhere in the far reaches of your mind.

My sister-in-law Laura had an infectious laugh; one she tried to hide but never could quite hamper. She laughed hard and loud. She made you laugh when she laughed.

In 2003 our family was in Utah at the first of October the same as every other year for the hunt. But, this particular year Laura decided that all of the cousins should dress up with whatever was around the house and trick-or-treat from bedroom to bedroom. Laura came up with

"Diaper Girl"

She was very proud of Diaper Girl even if everyone else was calling her another name for having a diaper on her head.

(Use your imaginations people it isn't that hard to figure out)

Laura didn't care what others thought, she knew who she was and what she wanted from a very young age. She fell in love with Rex's little brother Levi when they were in grade school, and against all odds they were married. They have 2 beautiful girls Renee and Dakota. Renee has Laura's giving spirit and inherent love for others, and Dakota has her zest for life and her devilish charm.

Over the last few months the bright smile and giggle that let you know Laura was in the room slowly faded away. Her sparkle had diminished, and her energy and spirit had been dampened. Slowly the energetic aura, and boundless light dimmed.

Laura was in the depths of a dark tunnel she could not see her way out of. She was lost in a deep sea of despair, and even though she fought to tread water as long as she could, she drowned in it's depths.

We loved Laura, and will miss her always.

I wish that we could have been there to help her,

I wish that we would have been able to be her life preserver, but we were not.

I wish I could have given her my faith and helped her realize that no matter what; no matter how hard things seemed to be, or how steep the hill in front of you may seem there is always hope.

I would have tried to make her realize she is of great worth, and that there are others that would carry her burden.

This is what I would have read to her:

Matthew 11:28-30

28:Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29:Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30:For my yolk is easy and burden is light.

This was my favorite scripture before this happened. Now it means so much more to me. It is the strength to get up in the morning, and the driving force in ones life.

We will always miss Laura, and pray for those left behind to find peace in their hearts and rest for their aching souls.