GLENDALE, AZ (CBS5) -
There is nothing more difficult than having to bury your child, but on this occasion, Arlys Eardly felt a profound sense of relief.
On Saturday, at Rest Haven Cemetery in Glendale, a wound that had been open for 55 years was finally closed.
In 1957, Eardly's first daughter, Bethy, died at age 4.
Bethy was buried in the only cemetery the family could afford in their town of Gallup, NM.
When Eardly moved to Arizona shortly after, she said she promised Bethy she'd come back for her.
"I was so worried I wouldn't be able to do it before I died," said Eardly.
Eardly could never afford the $6,000 it would take to exhume Bethy's remains and have them re-interred at Rest Haven, where Bethy's dad and other family members were buried.
But two years ago, a thoughtful neighbor changed all that by nominating Eardly for CBS 5's Pay it Forward series.
Our story triggered a remarkable outpouring from viewers, who quickly helped Eardly raise the money she needed.
One businessman in the Valley from New Jersey wrote Eardly a check for $3,000.
This past Saturday, Bethy was finally re-interred at Rest Haven, next to her dad.
At the end of the service, they released balloons with wildflower seeds inside so that some day when you see a wildflower, you will think of Bethy and know that she's home.
And her mom made good on her promise.
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