Eternal Family

On July 31st my oldest son Geoffrey, his bride Jessica and their two beautiful babies Benton and Bailie were all sealed as an eternal family. I had no doubt that this day would come. I knew they both had a testimony of the truthfulness of eternal families and I knew they both had a strong desire to have that blessing in their lives. What I didn't know, or couldn't even imagine was just how beautiful sharing in this experience would be for me.
I had talked with Jessie a while back and told her that if the temple would allow it I thought it would be nice if her mom and I could bring the babies up from the nursery and then hold them at the alter. Jessie thought that would be fine but never having witnessed a sealing she didn't fully understand what it meant. I called the temple and they said that would be fine. They would make the arrangements.
Being in the Celestial room, with my son and his wife and the many family and friends that were there to show support, was such an emotional day for me. I know that really say nothing since I am often emotional at these events but this was my son. My flesh and blood and his wife and babies were now the only family members left to be sealed to us. It was a very important day and I was so happy it was hard to contain it.
Geoffrey unfortunately has my emotions so he too was crying almost from the start. After the the Sealer had sealed Geoffrey and Jessica, Lisa and I were called out of the room. We were escorted to the nursery where we first saw Benton and Bailie all dressed in white looking like the angels that they truly are. Of course I cried some more just looking at them. I picked up Bailie and Lisa took Benton and up to the sealing room we went.
As soon as I walked in to the room and looked at Geoffrey looking at his children I lost all control of what little control I had left and was full out crying, as was my son. The Spirit was so strong and the joy of all there could be felt so strongly. Lisa and I knelt down at the alter and placed those babies hands on their parents. As the sealer started to speak I looked down at Bailie. She had spit out her pacifier and was looking straight up smiling the biggest smiles. I softly said to Geoffrey, "She is smiling." He looked at her and we both cried some more.
At first I thought to myself, this little girl knows exactly what is happening right now and she too is so happy to be here taking part in this ordinance that will seal her to her family forever.
As days past and I had time to reflect on what had happened at that temple alter it occurred to me that Bailie was not looking at me while she was smiling. She was looking up, beyond me. She was seeing others that were there with us that day. It was them that she was smiling at. Those special visitors from the other side of the veil that only her new, sweet, innocent spirit could see. I don't know who she saw there with us that day but I know, without a doubt that someone was there. Someone she knew and recognized, someone that was rejoicing with her as she looked upon them and smiled.