I should have learned this lesson a long time ago....late Saturday night phone calls usually mean one thing...."Teach my lesson, please?"
And so....I was able to teach priesthood this last Sunday. Topic: "Family: The sweetest union for time and eternity." What a great thought. It brought to my memory something that happened 3 years ago. Jordan had just turned 8 and it was his baptismal day. This was in Septmeber and had been a little more than a year since we lost Becca. We all were accutely aware that our family was not complete with her absence. As we were in the chapel, listening to the special music that was being provided, I had the distinct feeling that she was there. No, it was more than a feeling. It was real and I knew she was present. In my mind, somewhat surprised to feel her presence, I exclaimed, "Becca, you're here." Her reply came to as if I could hear her voice, "Dad, I will be at all of the big events, we're family." Tears filled my eyes and warmth filled my heart. The words, "Dad, ... we're family", resonated deeply.
Grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord and eager to share this with the rest of the family, I could not wait to get home. To my delight, Kristina, who was in tears throughout the baptismal service, had already spread the news. "Did anyone else feel Becca's presence today?" she asked as soon as we walked in the door. Continuing, she related, "She was definitely there, I felt her and could not stop crying!"
I have asked myself many times, what is a "big event"? Perhaps if I knew, I could selfishly plan them more frequently and enjoy having her with us more often. We miss her so much. I have, however, settled upon the idea, that perhaps any event in the family, where covenants are made and ordinances preformed, would qualify as "big event" from an eternal perspective. I now look forward to every such occasion, with a little more anticipation than normal...and so far, have not been disappointed.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Another Sad Day
Last Saturday morning as Raye and I were still lounging around, my cell phone rang. My friend Jeff called to let us know that some friends of ours were traveling to St George, when a truck heading north on I-15 suddenly lost control and crossed the median striking their van. Nyal, the father, did not survive. We were heartbroken to hear the news. Our thoughts were turned to Katie and the boys. It is so, so painful to go through such a thing, and yet, there comes with this, the sweet reassurance that "all is well". Nyal will be missed by all who knew him, and he will be able to touch many who will come to know him through his surviving family.
I wanted desperately to be at the viewing and funeral and tell Katie personally how I felt, but I had a committment in Denver that simply could not be rescheduled. Raye was able to attend both and spoke with her. We know some of what she will now face and hope we will be able to support her through this. Grieving is such a loney and isolating road. For us, the journey was made easier by so many good friends who showed up at just the right moment or said the right thing, or simply put an arm around us when we most needed it. I know Katie will have this too.
As for Nyal, he was a good man. I often heard him bear his testimony and was always touched by his sincerity and the spirit which accompanied it. I have been to scout camp and other outings and watched him in amazement. He was the outdoorsman, I never was, but wished I could be. He talked often of his time in Croatia as a missionary and I reminded him that during my time, Yugoslavia was part of the Vienna Austria mission which I served in. I often joked that we served in the same mission. I have been in leadership meetings with him and was always impressed with how he conducted himself and carried out his duties. Vocationally, Nyal was an attorney, and after working as a prosecutor, recently worked as a criminal defense lawyer. I was always intersted in his work and had read an article about a difficult case he had. This case surrounded a fatal car accident involving a teenage boy and his mother and a toddler. I asked him often about this case and though he could never disclose the details that were not public, the conversations always left me with an impression of the level of compassion he personally felt for those involved. It truly was a sad case.
And now, his own demise comes at the hand of a teenage driver. I know Nyal would want us to include this young man in our thoughts and prayers as well. That was just the kind of man he was.
I wanted desperately to be at the viewing and funeral and tell Katie personally how I felt, but I had a committment in Denver that simply could not be rescheduled. Raye was able to attend both and spoke with her. We know some of what she will now face and hope we will be able to support her through this. Grieving is such a loney and isolating road. For us, the journey was made easier by so many good friends who showed up at just the right moment or said the right thing, or simply put an arm around us when we most needed it. I know Katie will have this too.
As for Nyal, he was a good man. I often heard him bear his testimony and was always touched by his sincerity and the spirit which accompanied it. I have been to scout camp and other outings and watched him in amazement. He was the outdoorsman, I never was, but wished I could be. He talked often of his time in Croatia as a missionary and I reminded him that during my time, Yugoslavia was part of the Vienna Austria mission which I served in. I often joked that we served in the same mission. I have been in leadership meetings with him and was always impressed with how he conducted himself and carried out his duties. Vocationally, Nyal was an attorney, and after working as a prosecutor, recently worked as a criminal defense lawyer. I was always intersted in his work and had read an article about a difficult case he had. This case surrounded a fatal car accident involving a teenage boy and his mother and a toddler. I asked him often about this case and though he could never disclose the details that were not public, the conversations always left me with an impression of the level of compassion he personally felt for those involved. It truly was a sad case.
And now, his own demise comes at the hand of a teenage driver. I know Nyal would want us to include this young man in our thoughts and prayers as well. That was just the kind of man he was.
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