Death is a difficult thing. I have a testimony of the resurrection and a restoration of all things, thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ, but inevitably death still stings. Thomas died 32 years ago and I still miss him; I still feel that empty space in my heart where he was. Every once in a while, I’ll feel him close to me, that space filling up and reminding me that this life is such a small glimpse into the eternities. Our dear friends lost their niece this weekend to a horrible accident. We are devastated for them and their family. Our friend asked us if my parents ever got over the loss of their son. I told him, “‘Getting over it’ is the wrong term. I don’t think one ever gets over such a loss, but you move forward. The pain can either make you or break you. It can be like a knot in a tree– forming one of the strongest parts of your soul, or it can eat away at you, threatening to destroy you from the inside out. I still miss my brother. I still cry about it from time to time. It was a hard experience and he isn’t here right now, but I have hope and faith, and that is what keeps me going.”
Andy went out to talk to him and said he gave him a big hug as our friend just sobbed into his shoulder. I thought about Andy and all the friends he’s lost from war and, even now, I tear up. Andy has dealt with the death of close battle buddies quite a few times, but he also grieves with and comforts patients from time to time. He has been my comfort through some challenging times as well, but it is these difficult moments that have molded us. They have helped us become more empathetic to others and stronger for those who are suffering. We have been there, but we survived.
For Memorial Day, we didn’t get to go visit graves like my siblings did in Utah, but we spent a lot of time together as a family and then our friends from out of town came and spent a good portion of the day with us and we finished it off with going out to dinner with the adults. I’m super grateful for dear friends.
This week was a bit of a rain out. It rained nearly every single day, barely letting up for an hour or two each day. I enjoy rainy days, but I could tell the kids were getting sick of it. They played in the rain, tried to go swimming twice, and even set up a lemonade stand for a couple of hours. We found some indoor activities such as going to Lilo and stitch, rock climbing at the gym, and organizing spaces in our house. Thursday evening we almost caught a kitty that had made a home in our garage. But we mistakenly left the garage door open and when we finally managed to get him from behind our storage shelves, he ninja flipped and snagged Andy’s finger with it’s teeth and rain so fast, I’m sure it’s long gone now. It was such a cute little kitty, but emaciated. I imagine it’s gone without food for a few days now. We tried leaving some tuna out for it a couple of nights, but it never returned.
We finished the week with two birthday parties for some of our kids’ besties. First Afton’s on Friday evening (which got rained out), then Saturday, early afternoon, at Jane’s house (Harvey’s bestie). I think the kids all had a blast despite the bad weather this week. We had play dates at our house nearly every day. My heart and prayers are with the families that have gained an angel this weekend.