Matt and I wrote this life sketch in the days after Liesl died. Usually a life sketch at a funeral is a time to highlight the achievements and experiences of the deceased over a lifetime. What do you do for a baby who only got 15 months? Liesl's life sketch celebrated her short, impactful, precious life with a day to day lens. My mom read it for us at the funeral. How I miss this darling, simple life with my baby. How I achingly miss her.
"Liesl became part of our family when, while living in Denver, the doctors told Matt, Robyn, Jacob, Nicholas, and Benjamin that they were going to get a new daughter and sister. While Matt and Robyn were very excited, the boys were a little unsure of what to expect from a baby girl.
A few months after moving to Provo, Liesl was born on November 12, 2013 (11/12/13, in case you didn't know or notice) to a mommy and daddy ecstatic to meet their tiny sweetheart. And, from the moment she was born, she was doted on by three older brothers who knew exactly how to show their love to a precious little sister.
Liesl was named for her Grandpa Gamette, Leland, who passed away when Robyn was 6 months pregnant. Her middle name, Snow, is in honor of her Grandma Gamette's family as Snow is her maiden name.
Our baby had blue eyes, full cheeks and lots of dark hair. She was always an active, strong baby, quick to reach milestones and delight us all. As her personality began to develop we found her to be adventurous, loving, silly, and everlastingly dear. It was common to find one of her brothers snatching moments with her. To smile at her, kiss her, or talk to her. They were in love.
Liesl was blessed by her daddy on March 30, 2014 in this chapel. The same chapel where Robyn and Benjamin were blessed.
In light of Grandpa Gamette's passing our little nomadic family lived with Grandma Gamette from August of 2013 until July of 2014. Liesl and her Grandma Gamette were able to spend many precious moments together.
Last fall Matt and Robyn were able to take Liesl and the boys to Alabama to visit Matt’s family. It was a wonderful visit where she met all of her Hutchison aunts, uncles and cousins as well as her great grandma Hutchison. Liesl got to experience some of the traditions of Alabama football, enjoy a visit to the cabin, and play with Grandma Jan and Papa’s dog, Ginger.
Liesl began to blossom into a toddler in the final months of her life. She said words like “cheese”, “blankie”, “daddy”, “mommy”, and “grandma”. She shook her head to say “no” and would definitely let you know if her answer was “yes”. She loved to mimic her brothers singing the chorus of Angels we have heard on high. Her smile was infectious and she was full of energy. Liesl loved to dance and intuitively shook her little body whenever she heard music. She loved playing outside, but, despite her name, did not like the snow. She loved her blankies and her stuffed animals and could be found hugging them often. She loved to be read to, even though she usually couldn’t sit still for more than a few pages. Liesl had a zest for life and a love of her mommy and daddy. She always wanted to be with them, so much so that Matt and Robyn wonder if she didn’t know that she would be leaving them soon. She loved to hug them and gave the best “leg hugs” with an arm around each leg and her head tilted back to look at them. She was a delight in every way. An absolute delight.
Despite the short months she was with us on this earth, or the relative time each of us were able to spend with her, every moment we got was an absolute blessing. We cherish her memory and will never forget our precious baby."
