Kymbree Lynne Gabaldon

I can almost see it. That dream I'm dreaming,

But there's a voice inside my head saying, "You'll never reach it."

Every step I'm takin' every move I make feels lost with no direction,

My faith is shakin' But I, I gotta keep tryin'

Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose ain’t about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down, But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it, But THESE are the moments that I am gonna remember

most Just gotta keep goin',

And I, I gotta be strong Keep on movin'

Keep climbin' Keep the faith,

It's all about—it's all about the climb

Good Morning and welcome, my name is Ronda Berkey, and I am honored to be the funeral celebrant today as we have gathered here to remember Kymbree Lynne Gabaldon. It is a very important day when we stop to remember, to reflect and to remind ourselves of the unique and special person who was part of our lives. We are here to provide comfort to the family…. Her parents, Gene and Keri, her siblings; Jaydon, Shaylee, Brycen, Shayna, Kaycen & Mia. As well as her grandparents and the many extended family members that are here today. Each of you have a very special reason you are here, whether you spent time with Kymbree routinely or you are present to support one of her loved ones, this means Kymbree made a difference in your life and you took the time to stop and acknowledge her special place on this earth.

Today is Kymbree’s day. She would love that! She was never happier than when she was surrounded by the love of friends and family. Jayden tells me that Kymbree made her own days- she was never told what to do- she was independent and in control of how she wanted to spend her days- so WE will make this a most special time- to honor her life, honoring her independence and the leadership qualities she displayed. Jaydon describes people as either wolves or sheep- you either lead or follow, he says Kymbree was a Wolf- and anyone who followed her was lucky to be led by her.

The lyrics I read earlier were of a favorite song of Kymbree’s- The song is called THE CLIMB- by Miley Cyrus. Shaylee told me it was one of Kymbree’s favorites- and every time they would get into the car together- Kymbree would hijack the radio and plug in this song. She related to the words- the song represented her daily climb of life’s obstacles – she was so determined to move mountains- keep her faith- no matter what went wrong- she was going to try again-

The memories we share today about Kymbree are enhanced by the photos we see on the video- these are the snapshots of her adventures, we are witness to her crazy, happy, and free spirit- that jest for life that was truly a brilliant flame that we were so drawn to …. Right now I would like to ask the family to please rise and join together to light the candles that are placed up front …

(Let them get started) Play music: Hold on, We’re Going Home- Drake

Each of these different colored candles represents her “light” and the decoration she brought to our lives-

C. JoyBell. Writes…People who are unable to stand in the dark places of life, those who are always running towards their happy places, are the same as candles without a flame. There is no worth in a candle without a flame…

So where there was darkness…Kymbree wanted to light that flame- she wanted to ignite the world daily- she WAS going to set the world a blaze…

Kymbree’s story began on November 5, 1997 in Utah as the 5th child to join the Gabaldon household. Her presence on the stage of life was already felt and Gene and Keri knew they had a special little girl in their lives. She was busy, friendly, and curious and always the bright light in the middle of all the action-her role was usually leading the action – as Brycen remembers- she never played anything safe.

Gene expressed she was the “Most beautiful Girl inside and out, she cared and loved so much and that family was everything to her. . He recalls her habit of bringing home little kitty’s, after several times of telling her “no” –she would continue to bring them in –and she find hiding places for them around the house, hoping her dad would not discover her secret cats.

Mom Keri says Kymbree always danced to the beat of her OWN drum. Kymbree would come down the stairs dressed for school and Keri would complement her how nice & perfect she looked- BOOM- within an instant, Kymbree would make a mad dash up the stairs- change her outfit- and come back down the stairs looking like the character,

Pippy Longstockings- all mismatched& just a mess- but this was her style- she wasn’t ready to conform. Keri says as the girls grew- they all were involved with dance, gymnastics and cheerleading- this is where the girls started living up to what was passed on through the family genes- mom was a beautician, grandma was a beautician- these ladies had perfume, makeup and style in their chromosomes.

As the family continued to grow with the birth of her younger brother, Kaycen, Kymbree had more people to love deeply and throw her attention towards.

Life in this household was never dull, how could it be with 6 venturesome kids- all with unique personalities and different interests. They all were close knit and their team played together and their unity remained tight. Keri lovingly says that Kymbree had a specific and separate relationship with each one of her brothers and sisters- she IS the glue.

The kids remembered a family cruise taken to Jamaica – it was a great time of celebration. Their favorite place was the arcade on the ship- each day came with an allotment of free tokens- so not wanting to lose out on receiving their bounty of tokens- Kymbree thought it best that they all just sleep in the arcade- she didn’t want to miss out ! She was just 10 years old on that trip. On that cruise she all received a musical instrument - a ukulele. The kids said she started strumming that around the arcade- and wha la- she stumbled on another way to enhance her token income- people actually started throwing money at her- she became the celebrity in house act. Bryson said “even at a very young age- she was always ready to get the party started- where there was music in the house it was a time to party!”

Song- Pocket Full of Sunshine-

There is a video of Kymbree performing this song-

Shayna says she will keep that video for ever- because that is what “Kibbie” was to her- a pocket full of sunshine. Now which cell phone was that video taken on? Kymbree was a social media and technology junkie- she HAD to have two cell phones- “one for the plug and one for the load” – thank you Kevin Gates (another one of her favorite songs) - she NEVER wanted to be out of touch- or break down, always ready for that opportunity to do a selfie…space overloaded- that’s no problem- she’d back it up on Snap chat.

Shayna’s remembers her “partner in crime” with great sisterly affection- the bonds of this sisterhood will never be broken. Remember those makeup genes I mentioned earlier??…Kibbie was a fashion and makeup authority. She excelled at putting a look together! She would help Shayna pick out clothes- tell her what makeup to use and actually hone her skills as a makeup artist on Shayna and many of her friends…she wanted to make sure everyone stepped out into the world- beautiful. When I shared this story with Keri- she was amazed at how much Kymbree was like her, she remembered her own time in a group home where she became the “big sister” who was the resource person to ask “does this outfit look good…is my makeup right?”

Kymbree started her career as a makeup artist at an early age…her willing participant was her brother Kaycen- he remembers that Kymbree would use him and a best buddy Isaac as her personal dress up dolls- yes…Kaycen would wear a dress. Kymbree wanted to use Kaycen as her guinea pig…he was ok with getting his tongue pierced… next it was” lets’ see what you’d look like with… no eyebrows”- so with one quick swipe of a razor- they were gone. Kaycen loved his sister- and just wanted to share in fun. He said what best described Kymbree was… she “was a girlie girl doing guy things”- she was spunky…. NO matter the distance you put between two people or the time spent away- traits are genetic- Kaycen told Keri- “Mom- she is the most like you out of all of us”

Following in the steps of her grandmother and mother…

Kymbree was filling out paperwork to become a cosmetologist before she left us.

Brycen served as a grounding mechanism for Kymbree- with him she could have those discussions about more serious matters, he played the role of a mentor. With Brycen she would share her dreams of her future plans and what she needed to do to be successful. He remembers- they were very good friends.

A Quote from Katy Perry: I just like having fun. And, you know, sometimes I just like to present myself in that fun energy…

This team of 6 was nonstop…they shared stories of their motor biking trail runs-everybody was fast and furious – even when the tires were flat- they still had great races driving on the rims- jostling around the corners racing in the mud. There were bedroom gymnastics events that included a competitive round of backflips off the beds- Kymbree wanted to go for that Olympic gold medal- she jumped so high she flipped right into the chest of drawers and took a tooth out. The sister duo of Kymbree and Shayna produced an episode for the TV show Ridiculousness. Kymbree taught herself to drive. Showing off her spectacular driving skills, she’d let the Camaro creep along at a slow idle- then she could actually stand up in the driver’s seat and pop out of the moon roof- waving at people as she passed by- of course Shayna was there to guide the steering wheel. They tell me this car only lasted 6 months.

This was family…every single brother and sister would be lost without each other- they truly enjoyed being in each other’s company- taking that trip to California- it was a quick 24 hour run- but it was just because they wanted to- they always wanted to do something “fun” together. Those crazy cooking experiments; Kymbree playing Master Chef and thinking up culinary delights such as; deep frying eggo waffles, using her coveted Valentina hot sauce on cheedo puffs, doughnuts, doughnuts and more doughnuts- Bosa’a were her favorite. The Nutella festival in the kitchen- because everything on Pinterest looked fantastic- let’s try it ALL out!

There is no such thing as a “broken family” Family is Family, and it is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers or adoption documents. Our surroundings may change, there may be circumstances that are beyond our control, people change- WE rely on those closest to us to carry us through the storms- families provide that- Families are made in the heart.

Kymbree knew that…she had a huge heart that stored a ton of good feelings. She was the flame that we all were drawn to – we all wanted to be close to her and feel that warmth. Little Mia- you are just 3, but I know your Dad and your brothers and sisters will make sure you remember all the goodness that Kymbree brought into this world.

As we end this service, I would like to invite you to the hospitality center for a time of fellowship after our visit to the cemetery. I have a gift for you, as you leave …please take a phrase, a word, or an action from the basket that is placed in the back of the chapel– these are little reminders of Kymbree- things she would have done or words she would have shared with you.

Let us close with this blessing …As you leave this place, may you take the memory of Kymbree with you, tuck it in a special place in your heart and never let her be forgotten. Gracious God as we release her spirit we pray that she will be watching over us as we continue to live on without her. May those gathered here, forever be touched by her determination, her generous soul and enthusiasm for life today, tomorrow and always...go in peace….Amen.

COMMITTAL:

Death leaves a heartache no one can ever heal, Love leaves a memory no one can ever steal.

We are gathered here to place the body of Kymbree – she is at peace, there is no pain, there is no suffering- all is quiet for her and she is joyful. Death has stripped her of all her troubles and worries- she is free.

IN committing Kymbree’s body to this hallowed ground, we do so with deep reverence for that body as the temple, during life, of a unique and beloved personality. We place Kymbree’s body in this gentle earth which has been our chief support ever since human beings have walked beneath the sun. Here she will rest in peace and in the days to come we will visit this place and remember her vividly. God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come…

Please join me in the prayer that was taught to us by our Lord Jesus Christ:

Our Father Who art in heaven, hollowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever- Amen

Our service at the graveside has ended – let us join in fellowship – sharing memories of Kymbree.

Thank you.