Music is way for family to heal, hope

At our age, my husband, Grit, and I rarely frequent the club scene.

But on a Saturday night a few weeks ago, there we were, in beautiful downtown Provo, at the music club Velour.

We had come to hear our friends Anne Marie and Kent Barton's kids perform.

The audience was mostly college-age kids with a spattering of older types.

Even with a singer performing, they seemed to be having a great time talking while scouting the room for interesting people, who, of course, weren't us.

The talking stopped about 8:15 when a gorgeous girl named Tessa came onstage, joined by her returned missionary brother, Chas. Their 14-year-old brother, who is usually the drummer, had taken a night off. Chas' friend, CJ, filled in.

It was fun.

They were good. The only thing missing was their sister, Sophie Rose.

She was always the outgoing sister, the laughing, beautiful blonde who cheered everyone up.

Now she's gone, taken so quickly at 17 years old, while on an afternoon at girl's camp in Heber.

One minute she was a seemingly healthy, happy teenager and the next she was gasping for her last breaths before passing away.

Sophie and Tessa had big plans and the talent that goes with those plans. They were making a name for themselves.

Their voices blended as only sisters could. They accompanied themselves with guitars and keyboard and composed their own songs.

And then in the blink of an eye, the dream drifted away and the dark days of July, August and September filled the Barton household. The family pulled together, healing slowly but as best they could.

Just days after losing Sophie, Tessa was asked if she would be able to fulfill the upcoming concert events. Her mother was surprised when Tessa responded with a resounding, "Yes." Her brothers joined in.

The music was healing, as if Sophie was almost orchestrating a comeback for the family — a way to perhaps face life without her and in ways they could honor her memory and not let her music fade.

The music began again in the Barton family room filled with guitars, drums, mics, amps, tambourines and a ukulele.