Sophie Rose Barton.

I have had a really hard time trying to do a blog post since Tuesday.  A friend I've known since we were teenagers in Connecticut was hiking alongside her daughter at girl's camp on Monday.  After the hike, her daughter, Sophie, passed out, was in and out of conscientiousness and then died at the hospital two hours later.

My heart has been heavy and aching since I heard that news.  She was a bright, beautiful, and talented 17 year old girl.  She wrote songs, played the guitar, and sang beautifully with her sister, Tessa. (You can hear their music here.)

Sophie had been having headaches for a couple of weeks prior so they had made a doctor's appointment for today, but instead, today was Sophie's funeral.  I can't even imagine the grief that this family is experiencing right now.

Funerals are where we pay tribute to the life that has just been lost ... and Sophie Rose had quite the tribute today.  I don't think I have been to a funeral where there were more people in attendance and every person that spoke said the same thing about this special girl - she was always smiling, always happy, always made you feel good ... she was a joy, a gift, and an angel.

So today, although Sophie will be desperately missed by her family and those who loved her, it is comforting to know that she lived a full, rich life in her short years on earth and I have no doubt that she is in the presence of our Savior and singing in heaven.