I am really sorry that you must live in a bubble. Life can be really hard. M.Scott Peck said that, and I believe him. I am setting up a new website, from scratch, for the purpose of connecting authors and resources. I don’t have a clue. About the site or the resources. I do know this; you are one fabulous resource for an aspiring writer. Seriously, thank you.

I’m not angry. It’s been a long time since I was angry. This blog has suffered from that somewhat, and has a lot to do with why I changed the name. Someday, we should sit down and talk about THIS issue, and you will realize I’m not angry. Until then, just know that I feel your pain. And I am genuinely sorry for your loss, and consider it my loss as well. Your dad never hesitated telling me what he thought of what I had to say or do and I took it, because it meant he was reading what I said, and thinking about it.

There is no one side to any story. And everybody has a story.

I actually genuinely appreciate you not using the real names of the little ones, I understood from the beginning why you did that. I was simply using the same name you gave her to maintain consistency.

As for Mr. Elder, I am well aware you never gave his name and I am the one that did that. It was very much intentional. I was trying to give him some depth and personalize him. Believe me when I say I have had my share of hurtful run-ins with LDS leaders and judgmental members. I just cringe when someone is lumped in a group they don’t belong. I recall him saying my dad wanted all of his friends to be comfortable but do not recall the mention of specifically “non-member” friends, I must of missed that. I interpreted the comfort he was referring to as not making everyone drive back and forth across town, which was my dad’s intent.

It is clear from my remarks last night that after reading this post originally I was emotionally charged, and I will admit I am a lot more rational now then I was then. The thought of some stranger stumbling on this blog post and not understanding another point of view of my father’s funeral was more than distressing. I felt an overwhelming amount of urgency to share my observations and feelings, thank you for letting me do so. Writing and crying last night was very cathartic.

At the end of day, we just have to agree to disagree. The funny thing is, I had the same thought as you. That one day I hoped you would be understand and that it would be your choice to do so. When it comes down to it, I already did my time feeling as if every comment for the masses was directed at me and I would let it hurt and anger me. One day I figured out what I needed most to move forward was to let it go. I’m much happier now that baggage is behind me and feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’m at peace with the decisions I have made and know I’m a good person, no religious discourse can take that from me.

You are a beautiful writer and a beautiful girl. It was a lovely service. I didn’t care for one person’s talk, but as you noted, I don’t know him. He’s probably a perfectly nice man. All I was doing was blogging my observations. I don’t call your young sisters by their names because they are too young to appear on a public blog. You will note I also did not use your names. And Ted Elder (named only because YOU named him) is the one who said your father had the funeral at the mortuary instead of a church because that was the kind of guy he was. He wanted all his friends to be comfortable. I guess you guys missed that part of his talk.

I also heard the other comment from someone, but I will not repeat who.

I’m sorry I hurt you. It was not my intent. Your father was a great man. You are mourning. You have lost so much. And I feel for you.

Someday I think you’ll understand. Or maybe not. It’s your choice, but I don’t blog out of anger. I blog because this world is so interesting. There’s enough Mormon bloggers out there. EVERYWHERE. I can speak my mind, too. It was not a personal attack on you or ANYONE in your family.

And of course you can tell me how you feel without fear or repercussions. And I feel very sad you are hurt. You are a wonderful daughter, your father was a wonderful man, and we will all miss him.