Sacred Piano

Paul has just released the CD 'Sacred Piano' with "Gracie's Theme" as track number four. I was looking through my recent Deseret Book catalog that I got in the mail and it was so fun to turn the page and see the advertisement for 'Sacred Piano' and to see it featuring "Gracie's Theme". I ripped the page out to keep in Gracie's scrapbook. The following is a description of the CD from the website:
(Gracie almost one year ago at one of Max's football games)

"Nurture the spiritual atmosphere in your home with this beautiful collection of peaceful piano compositions from award-winning pianist Paul Cardall. Spanning his fifteen-year career, these songs showcase Paul’s delicate style and magnificent artistry. His tender and delicate approach to playing the piano has touched countless hearts all over the world."

You can find the CD at Paul's website or Deseret Book or coming soon to itunes. We want to thank Paul again for his tribute to our sweet girl.

Gracie's Theme Music Video

(press pause on the music playlist at the bottom of the blog to be able to hear the music on this video without interruption)

We had never met Paul Cardall before Gracie's funeral. We connected through our blogs while she was in the hospital in February. Our relationship started with correspondence through the blog and then through email about his music. I had wanted a change from the usual music we had been playing in her room. With a one disc CD player, the CD's we had were getting old and repetitious. I was looking for something peaceful, something instrumental to play. I received a copy of Paul's Primary Worship CD and knew I had what I was looking for. It quickly turned into our favorite CD, the one we played over and over and over in her room the last two weeks she was alive.

I mentioned in a previous blog post that my step-dad Gary had secretly emailed Paul and arranged for him to play at Gracie's funeral. That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship between our two families. Paul, Lynnette, and Eden hold a special place in our hearts and we love them not only for everything they have done for our family but also for being such an example of love, faith, enduring to the end, patience, long suffering, optimism and hope.

This is a picture of Paul, Tom (and Lynnette) coming through the line at Gracie's funeral. A picture of the first time we met them in person. We were then, just as we are now, overwhelmed by Paul's kindness and love towards our family. We are blessed that Gracie's life has touched and inspired him enough to write a song for our little sweetheart. Paul wanted the video to show the full circle of her life from heaven and back again, starting with her funeral and ending with her birth. I think he did a wonderful job. It was emotionally difficult going through every picture and video of Gracie for this music video. I gave Paul a LOT of pictures and videos to choose from and then he put everything together to form this music video.

It was an interesting thing to review her entire life through pictures and videos over a matter of a few hours. Only then was I able to get a comprehensive view as to how many struggles she (and we!) had to endure. Gracie is my hero. We are so blessed to have had her in our home.

Paul also posted this video to his blog and wrote a beautiful post about Gracie and our family, to read about it click HERE . He dedicated the video to every family who has lost a child.

We pray nightly for all of our heart friends who are struggling right now. The only thing we know is that we have a Father in Heaven who is mindful of us and our trials and who will always be there for us if we will let him in. If we will just try to continue on in faith, we will make it through.

I saw this quote on a plaque at Deseret Book:

"Faith in God includes faith in his timing."

Neal A. Maxwell

We are fortunate to have been able to feel our Savior's love through all of the kind words and actions of our numerous friends and family members. You continue to strengthen us, thank you!!