It has been a few days since the funeral, and many thoughts and impressions are beginning to solidify into concrete memories. First most is the speed of the events. It seems as if April was just a few clicks of the clock, followed by the realization that the physical portion of this event is completed. Now the normal daily tasks need to resume, filling the spot of our temporary duty. No matter what we do, the echo of reality seems to reverberate. Keeping on task with the chores at hand is the therapy and beginning of the mental recovery of our emotions.

I have had the question asked more than once, “what do you think TC meant when he said, “it’s a miracle?” I have pondered this thought many times and every day reveals more. I thought it was a miracle when I stood up at the pulpit and viewed over 1200 people in the audience during the funeral. I thought what kind of person would attract this kind of attention? I think it was a miracle that so many people wanted to visit TC while he was in the hospital. There were several little miracles during the time of his stay in regards to people offering assistance of exactly what was needed, precisely when it was required. I think that is was miracles that the blog was available and so many of us were depending on it for information, comfort and hope. I think it was a miracle that a finer purpose of prayer was discovered by some, and hope that its experience will continue. There are many points to express and some that can’t be written, but the real miracle was the expression of love by all of us to each other. TC saw the results of a perfect love. He felt the unconditional love that is there for all of us. He glimpsed into the world that waits for us all and was able to speak the words that best described the vivid colors he saw, the feeling of love that engulfed him and the happiness and joy that beckoned him. He saw those that have preceded him and felt the remembrance of the eons. Most of all he confirmed the truths of the eternities, that they exist; and he was able to tell us in those simple words… “It’s a miracle,” the last words he spoke.

We want to thank all those who helped us, either physically, spiritually or temporally. So much was given; we are just overwhelmed and humbled. We are so glad that we could share our son with so many, and we cherish the time we had with him and look forward to the forever that is promised.

cliff

Click the play button below to listen to TC’s full funeral.  I will be cutting up the file to the individual talks later.

or click here to download.

A special thanks to John T Brown for making such a high quality recording for our family archives. 

It was a wonderful day today.  The sun was bright, the sky was clear (since the wind had been clearing it out.)  Our extended family on both sides gathered in the small relief society room at the chapel to have a family prayer before the funeral.  I don’t think that we were missing anyone, so the room was full of Rogers and Laidlaws.  Grandpa Laidlaw said a wonderful prayer, and the funeral day started. 

Click here to see TC’s Funeral Program. 

I will never forget getting up in front of everyone at the pulpit.  The sight of an absolutely full meeting hall took my breath away for a moment.  The amont of caring in the room was palpable.  I was amazed by how calm I felt during my part of the talk.  I am so proud of the job my father and brother (it is still strange to use the singular form of brother) did speaking.  I was also extremely proud of TC.  His spirit was present during the day, and I know that he is happy.  When I saw the size of the crowd gathered for TC’s funeral, I couldn’t help but think that there was probably and equal number of souls who welcomed TC into the spirit world last Sunday. 

Our family is so thankful for all of the help we have received during the funeral.  We only had to show up and participate, all the logistics were taken care of.  Our family is so used to providing service for everyone, that I felt a little bit guilty letting others put the chairs away, and preparing the meals, etc.  It was so wonderful to receive the selfless service of others.  The service we received made us feel calm and loved throughout the day. 

I would like to thank everyone who participated in this special day.  I am sure that others in my family will be posting their thoughts soon.

Allan

TC’s obituary is in the paper. Joyce Haldeman helped write it. She did a wondrous job. It is difficult to summarize a life in a paragraph, but aunt Joyce did it beautifully. Thank you!

http://www.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/individual_display.jsp?obitID=3841090

For some reason I feel compelled to continue sharing the feelings and events Becky, myself and our family are currently feeling. The last couple of days have been harder than the days in the hospital. They are harder in an emotional and physical way. During the time sitting by TC’s bed, we would hope and imagined TC would survive and even return to us whole. It caused us to be strong. Now knowing that his death is real, reality has a loud presence. We are not disappointed with the results, just saddened. We realize that TC has other destinies than the ones we felt he should have had. Maybe we were being greedy, wanting to keep him for ourselves, as it is obvious that he has abilities to touch so many others.

Going through the physical arraignments of a funeral, bring us back to the worldly ways of man. Looking through pictures and videos of TC remind us quickly how special and unique he was. That causes us a sharper and more physical emotion that easily erupts in tears and even crying. I understand that to be a different phase of mourning, grieving. The most important part of this feeling is to be able to cause it to flee from our minds with the knowledge that this separation is only temporary. The separation of TC’s body and spirit is what we have now. The knowledge and beauty of the resurrection comes to play more strongly than ever, knowing that he will be reunited in spirit and body, along with us, in the future. Faith becomes knowledge, with desire and understanding. This understanding is felt in the heart; the knowledge is experienced deep in the soul, not the rational mind. One must learn these things with the spiritual minds and eyes.

With that in mind, these sad days are but a few, as we prepare the last few hours. Then, with the traditions of man completed, we will have the chance to contemplate the truths and reality of spiritual things and that sharp pain we feel at this time will be turned into peace and comfort again. Our hope and desires will be fulfilled, through the ultimate gift of the Saviors Atonement.

cliff

We will be having a viewing (closed casket) and a funeral for TC.

Viewing:

• Friday, April 18, 6:00-8:00 PM
• LDS Chapel at 6051 Dorrell Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89131
  

Funeral:

• Saturday, April 19, 11:00 AM
• LDS Chapel at 6051 Dorrell Ln, Las Vegas, NV 89131

We look forward to seeing all those who wish to attend.

We have enjoyed all of the pictures and stories that have been sent in of TC. Since his passing, these stories and pictures have taken on even more importance. We are trying to compile even more pictures and stories of TC in preparation for his funeral. Please continue to send anything you have, no matter how short, long, plain, or profound to

We appreciate all of the support and love we have been shown during TC’s final weeks with us. We are overjoyed that TC lived his life so well, and is in such a good place now. We just miss him so much.

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We plan to have TC’s funeral service on Saturday, April 19th. The location and exact time will be posted when available.

TC has finally received his mission call. TC Rogers will be serving his mission in the Paradise state of the Spirit World. He will be proselyting with those individuals that have never received the knowledge of Jesus Christ while on Earth. He will be serving with other family members who have preceded him. He will be busy serving and organizing for an undisclosed amount of time. We will be planning his farewell in a few days. We hope you all can attend.

We adored our valiant son, and want all of our friends to know that there is continued progression of ones spirit, in a very joyful surrounding. One can make decisions regarding eternal progression, and TC will be involved in spreading and building the Kingdom of God.

TC was with his family until the very last moments. His passing was painless and TC had parents at his side. The nurses and doctors of UMC Trauma Intensive Care Unit are the most compassionate individuals we have come in contact with. We want to tell them thank you.

We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Thank you for your love and concern

Cliff

From the Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 40

11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection-Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

TC passed on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at around 7:30 pm.

We will be writing more.

We had a pleasant night with TC, His cousin Amy was in town and she was able to visit his bedside. His new night nurse John was introduced and we instantly recognized his compassionate care. He is from Hawaii.

TC still has a fever and it was brought down a bit. He is still in that cold cooling blanket. It was also discovered that he has a blot clot in his right arm. This could present a problem at any time. They are going to do a CAT scan early in the morning to determine additional information on his neck, and to see if his cranium mid-line shift and edema has changed any. This is my concern, this mid-line shift thing.

Since he has been taken off the pentobarbital, his body is starting to react on its own to some basic stimulus. He gags and attempts to cough slightly a few times an hour. It is nice to see him move. He has a twitch somewhere at times and has even partially opened his eyes. These were all results that we were told could happen, a natural effect of the coma inducing medication breaking down. These actions stimulate hope in all of us that see them.

Hope is such a strong aspect to man. Without hope man is lost; without hope the soul is empty. Hope is certainly tied to faith, as faith and hope are cousins in the spiritual realm of things. Then there is charity. Charity is extended to others as a result of hope and faith being exercised. “Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.” These three attributes combined, give man joy, and make us feel secure and content, especially during times of trials, no matter what the out come. We have felt these qualities over and over the last few days. We thank you for sharing these intimate traits with our family.

Cliff