On a lovely, sun-filled afternoon, greater than 500 folks gathered in an Arvada church to have fun the lifetime of Alexa Bartell, who died at age 20 when a stone was hurled by the windshield of her automobile.
Folks hugged and wept exterior the Storyline Church earlier than the service, and others did the identical inside, crossing aisles to embrace and pause. A desk within the church foyer was crammed with framed pictures of Alexa, smiling in most. Images included photos of Alexa playfully flashing a peace signal; she usually wore baseball caps, generally with the invoice dealing with again. Dozens of colourful floral bouquets have been contained in the foyer and the church. Pals left written messages that have been displayed.
The Rev. JT English, lead pastor, welcomed the gathering, which included many younger adults — associates and former classmates of Alexa’s. English mentioned folks shouldn’t suppress or deny feelings they’re feeling, together with anger and grief, and that it will even be acceptable to giggle and share pleasure in the course of the service.
The service included a slideshow, a montage of Bartell’s life projected on a theater-size display, displaying images of her delivery, as a toddler, a young person and younger grownup. There have been hugs, kisses, group gatherings, events, sporting occasions, holidays, amusement parks and magical sunsets. A couple of video clips have been rolled in. Chuckles and laughs labored by the group because the movies performed.
Jeremy Bartell, her eldest cousin, spoke to the gathering. He recalled that Alexa, as a toddler, referred to him as “Bubba.” The recollection prompted extra laughs. Jeremy Bartell additionally recalled a gathering, when he traveled cross nation to Colorado from Florida, when Alexa was a kindergartener and he was a younger grownup. “She gave me the largest hug. It felt prefer it lasted without end. My coronary heart simply melted,” he mentioned.
Alexa’s radiant smile was “90% sweetness and 10% mischievous,” Jeremy Bartell mentioned. He described her as a assured, compassionate and caring individual.
When Jeremy Bartell had kids of his personal and household gatherings have been occurring, his children would ask: “Is Alexa going to be there?”
If the reply was no, it will be a brooding automobile experience to the gathering, he mentioned. If the reply was sure, it was a celebration within the again seat. She frolicked with them on their stage. She invested within the relationship.”
Jeremy Bartell shared that he’s been troubled and angered by Alexa’s mindless dying.
“Alexa would have been disillusioned in me. I’ve carried some hatred in my coronary heart,” he mentioned.
Alexa had a tattoo on her arm, a Bible verse that included, “Love your enemies.”
“The way in which her life ended didn’t outline who she was,” Jeremy Bartell mentioned. “The way in which she lived did. We is not going to say goodbye; we are going to carry her spirit in our hearts without end.”