I Will Remember You

My sweet and dear friend Lisa past away a few weeks

ago and I miss her so much. This post is extremely hard

for me, I am heartbroken and want to honor her

and her friendship with respect and love. Her obituary

was truly beautiful and described her life and passion

wonderfully.

Lisa Jane Layton Okland 1985 ~ 2009 Lisa Layton Okland passed away

in Tempe, AZ on October 17, 2009. She was born to Clark and Renda Layton

in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 14, 1985. An honors graduate of Highland High

School in 2003, Lisa was a student leader and served as Dance Company

President. She married her high school sweetheart John Christopher Okland on

June 23, 2006 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Lisa graduated from Arizona State

University with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Photography. An accomplished dancer,

artist, photographer and triathlete, Lisa set a standard of excellence. Spending

time with family was Lisa's greatest joy. She cherished her role as a wife;

her greatest blessing was her loving and supportive husband, Chris.

They shared many adventures in the great outdoors from the deserts of the

Southwest to the Fjords of Norway, often joined by their dog Ralph and

always by Lisa's camera. Children adored Lisa! She lovingly nurtured

many children in her family as an aunt, in her community as a nanny, and

abroad as a teacher in Ukraine and Mexico. Sweet, giving, creative,

selfless, kind, energetic, fun, thoughtful, and helpful, Lisa rained light and love

on our lives. She was a blessing from above. Her grace, beauty and good

will touched and charmed us. Always expressing appreciation, Lisa was a

supreme example of what it means to be grateful. Lisa choreographed

her life with passion using every part of herself: a mind for learning, an eye for

composition, an ear for listening, a heart of kindness, a hand outreached,

a smile for everyone,and of course. . . a sense of humor.

Indeed Lisa showed us all how to "take life by the hand and dance."

Reece and I were supposed to drive down to stay

with her and Chris and go to the U2 concert

together on Oct 20th. I was in shock to hear we had all

lost her, especially since I was so close to seeing

her. My heart ached for her family and husband.

Friends came into town and we cherished the

memories of Lisa together. I didn't understand.

The funeral brought peace to my heart,

the speakers reminded me of my faith in eternal

families and in a merciful Father in Heaven.

As a photographer I loved the words spoken

by the last speaker,

"Just like in photography, the more we are exposed

to the Light the more developed we become. So

much in photography has to be done in a dark room

the same is done with our lives, we need to have faith

that our lives will develop and turn out fine although

we often have to do this in the dark and dimly lit times"

I tell my students that in photography your medium is

light. You control it, work in, and with it to create

a beautiful result. I hope that I can say the same with

my life. Lisa definitely was a source of light in my life.

She exposed many beautiful moments and memories

for me.

Lisa, I have faith that I, and others that love you, will

see you again. I know that you were received with

the understanding arms of a loving Father who has

given you the peace and comfort you needed.

I have had people tell me that you were an angel on

earth and that you are most likely and angel now looking

down on and caring for those you loved. I have no

doubt that you are.

(us receiving our young womens in excellence together)

Thank you for making sure we danced a full song together

at my wedding. (and for exchanging so many sweet

words while doing so)

Im so grateful I was able to fly out from NY to be

there for you on YOUR big day. You were stunning.

I still want that bridal picture you were going to

trade me for one of my bridals.

Thank you Lisa for everything. For leaving me

with so many kind letters, beautiful and fun pictures,

and sweet memories to remember you by.

-Picnics with your gourmet sandwiches in

the park while ditching last period

-Dancing to Ricky Martin or MJ while

getting all done up for the night

-cuddling and watching Brave Heart in your

bed when we both had our hearts broken

-You always playing with my hair with your

perfect little nails

-Making me laugh till I couldn't breath

-Having matching haircuts in Jr. High

(although your pulled it off much better)

and playing tricks on your mom

-Sleepovers, mischief, and impersonations

-Receiving meaningful letters from you from NY

-Promising each other we would always be friends

after we graduated

-You holding my "Reece's Pieces" themed Bridal

Shower

-Dancing at my wedding

-Dancing at your wedding

-Talking for hours about how we both wanted to

teach photography and have a family

-Your sweet comments on my blog

-looking forward to what you would post next

on your blog

-How you inspired me in everything

-Us growing up, together

Thank you.