Brianna, Bonnie and Dave's first daughter, was called to depart our world to live with the angels, before the rest of us had an opportunity to know her.  The depth of the loss of Brianna is eloquently reflected in letters wrtten to her by her mother and her aunt, at the time of her funeral, and copies have been included below.  The arrival of her sister, Hope, about a year later, went a long way toward easing the grief, and re-affirmed our belief that Brianna is in the best of care.

Brianna Victoria Goodman

Dear Sweet Brianna Victoria,

     God gives to us in so many ways.  You, as all babies, are a gift from God.  You have already touched so many lives.  You were born into a family ready to love you unconditionally.  Although your physical time here on Earth was very short, you will always be loved.
     Your parents love you more than you'll ever know.  They will go on one day to have more children that will be watched over by an angel, you, their sister.
All babies have an angel to keep them safe from harm, but not all babies are
blessed with a sister.
     I thank God everyday that I was blessed with a sister.  Your mother, my sister, is the strongest woman I know.  She took such good care of you while in her womb and she brought you into this world in the most peaceful way.  Although she knew that God had taken you to heaven, she labored and delivered you with such strength, honor, and pride.  It was the most heartwrenching, yet beautiful events that I have ever seen.
     I pray that you will continue to give your mother, father, and family the strength to go on.  I know that you will stay in our hearts and minds forever.
     We may often ask "Why?" and we may never know "Why?", but we should instead say "Thank you" to God for giving you to us.  You have made us all realize something we already know, that LIFE is very precious, no matter how short or long.  Your precious life has brought an already close family much closer.  Now, we should take the strength you have given us and live in the Light of your Life.
                                             I will always love you,

                                             Aunt Susan
 
 

To my Dearest beautiful daughter Brianna,

Sweetheart, I know that as a baby on earth, you would not have yet been able to read or understand this letter, but I can only hope that as my sweet angel in heaven, you will be able to understand.

I never had a chance to tell you how much you were loved and dreamed about while you were in my womb.  Your Daddy and I loved you, thought about you, and did everything we could to get ready for you.  You were very wanted.  We will always love and cherish you and we only wish that your little ears could our voices tell you so.

During the short 9 months that you were with me I remember thinking how my life would be different after you were born.  I knew that my life would change, but I never thought that it would be as a result of losing you.  Your beautiful sprititual presence in my world has made me realize how valuable life is and how fortunate we (you, me, and your daddy) are to have such wonderful, caring family and friends.  Although we never had the opportunity to see you smile or hear you laugh, you have had a great impact on all of our hearts.  You are very, very special and very, very much loved.  Because of you, I love your Daddy more than I ever have before, I love our family more, and I value life much more.  You have helped me become a better, stronger person.  God decided when He created you that you would have a very important role in our lives.  God took you away, but you will always be our first baby and our beautiful little angel, and no one can take that away from us.  We will love and cherish you forever....

                                  Love,  Mommy