Goodygirl21: Amanda Albert

I've written my feelings about the events of the recent passing of my friend Amanda in my personal journal. But I wanted to share some pictures and a few details here as well.

I met Amanda 10 months ago when we first moved here to Guam. She worked at one of the hotels where we stayed, we became friends and I was her visiting teacher. Her brother Willie is one of our dear friends as well. I love the entire Albert family. I visited her Mom and all of her married sisters who live at home. Eleter the Mom has 8 kids and Amanda was one of her sweet daughters.

Amanda took her life just over a week go and it was devastating to hear such news. I struggled with it, a lot. I struggled with thoughts of wishing I had been a better friend to her. She had had a hard life in her short 20 years and many of us knew of her struggles but she was also so loved. I don't think she knew how many people loved her.

When I went to go visit the family it was so strange not to see her at the house. I miss this girl.

They had a week long Catholic Rosary each night outside their home. They are not Cathololic but Willie explained to me that it is part of the Micronesia Culture to pray for the souls of the dead and so they participate in this tradition.

Amanda's sisters made up these shirts for everyone to buy to pay tribute to Amanda.

The viewing was like nothing I've ever witnessed. It included lots of whaling. Loud whaling. It was heart breaking to hear. It brought me to tears a few times. Her Mom and Grandma were the loudest. Willie translated for us when his Mom first started. We were outside the room and down the hall and we could hear her but not understand. Lydia witnessed some of it before a friend offered to take her home to play.

Willie said his family stayed up most of the night preparing this food for all the family and friends. I inquired as to what was inside. It included rice, fried chicken and a pickle.

They served lots of food at the funeral. I was thinking about bringing some leftover fish home for Tyson. ;)

Elder Alo practicing for his musical number. He was simple amazing. I love music so much and how it brings the spirit to services.

Baby Stephen Ropon in line at the viewing.

Another difference I observed from my culture is the people here are very touchy with the body, the children too. People would lean right inside the casket and mourn. The children were playing with her hair, touching her face, her arms.....etc. I was chatting with my friend from Mexico and she said at funerals in her Country they put glass over the bodies so nobody can touch them. Everyone has such different ways of doing things. I like to quickly glance and get to giving hugs to the family. I don't even know what she was wearing. But now I am kind of curious.

The service was nice. One sister to Amanda cried loudly the entire time. It was so sad to watch. Grandma collapsed on the floor with sadness during the family prayer and closing of the casket. Her Grandkids were good to try and comfort her.

Willie and our Stake President. Willie spoke at the funeral, did the family prayer and dedicated the grave. I was so proud of him. He handled everything with so much strength.