Cat Matlock opens the ceremony and performs the song “Sanctuary”

Dedication, written and read by JoAnn Carland

To Stella Grace

Conceived in Love and Planned with Wisdom;
Anticipated with excitement; Bringing Joy to all who knew;
Yet Heaven wanted to reclaim its Star and we lost you much too soon.

Your Mom was brave beyond belief and your Dad was steadfast in his Love;
Wanting to hold you, she forsook her comfort and waited for your birth.

Tho’ we had you for a few hours only, You were Perfect.
Your birth was much anticipated even tho’ expectations were mixed.

Yet your Mom was your strength and She gave you Life;
Assisted by your Loving Dad.

You lived for your brief moment in time, cradled in the arms of your Mom and Dad;
And you were surrounded by Love.

We grieve for our Loss, but you know that you were loved
and we know that you gave us one bright and shining moment.
We will remember you forever.

Stella’s Story, written and read by Trey Carland

Ode to Stella Grace
written and read by Jim Carland

On wings of love, you swooped and dove, My Darling Dear;
they brushed our lips, they kissed our eyes, and stilled our sighs.

Called you Stella, your Mother did, My Darling Dear;
for stars did shine, from Heaven’s Gate, to still our sighs.

A dream you were, sheer gossamer, My Darling Dear;
and tears of love, and tears of joy, did still our sighs.

And called you Grace, your Mother did, My Darling Dear;
and gift you were, so great a gift, you stilled our sighs.

So fierce, so proud, your Mother was, My Darling Dear;
and strong, so strong, your Father was, it stilled our sighs.

So loved you were, so deep and full, My Darling Dear;
as sip you did, of air and love, and stilled our sighs.

So soon you did, unfurl those wings, My Darling Dear;
to fly again, to Heaven’s Gate, be still our sighs.

But Mother’s Love, and Father’s Faith, My Darling Dear;
did give us time, to love you more, and stilled our sighs.

While Angels wait, to fly you home, My Darling Dear;
we drink, we drink, of love so sweet, it stills our sighs.

And now you’re gone, on wings of love, My Darling Dear;
bereft we are, without you here, to still our sighs.

But mem’ry serves, and love remains, My Darling Dear;
and strength we draw, from pools of love, to still our sighs.

So small you were, but huge your heart, My Darling Dear;
and loved you were, and loved you are, so still your sighs.

Now time has fled, but love remains, My Darling Dear;
we love you still, we always will, be still our sighs.

On wings of love, you swoop and dive, My Darling Dear;
with Angels fair, in Heaven’s air, it stills our sighs.

Stella
by Norn Cutson

A quote from Gina Lake
read by Trey Carland

Cat Matlock closes the ceremony and performs the song “Maha Mrityunjaya”

Parting Goodbye, by Trey Carland