Again I am hoping to express what I need to and again I am relying on the Lord to inspire the words that will follow. As you read this, my only intended hope is to bring comfort to those in need of comfort.
Today I found out some devastating news that my brother Ric, had passed away.
My heart breaks for I have lost a hero. My heart breaks for I have lost a best friend. Most importantly my heart breaks for I have lost a brother.
My heart will heal for I have hope. My heart will heal for he is safe. My heart will heal for I have support. Most importantly my heart will heal for I have faith.
Please bear with me as I once more express my appreciation for the faith and hope I have of a life after death. There are so many times where in life we don't get to say goodbye, we don't get enough time, we don't get to make things right, that it doesn't feel fair. Because of this I cannot and will not accept that there is no life after death.
I can't tell you what is waiting on the other side, in the next life, but I can tell you this: even if there is a minuscule chance that my family is there, I will choose to believe that. I will choose to find happiness in sorrow. I will choose to find light among darkness. I will choose to have hope over despair.
I will miss Ric more than anyone can understand. In some of the hardest times in my life, he was my happiness during sorrow. He was my light amid darkness. He was my hope over despair. He was my hero, my best friend, and my brother. He was one of a kind and I am blessed to be able to call such an incredible person my brother. He made a difference in many lives but he helped mold me to who I am today. I love him so much, words cannot describe nor do justice of my love for him. I will look forward to the day when I can feel his big bear hug and hear him say the words that are oh too familiar to my heart, "I love you, IsaBelle".
Ric always said that if he ever passed away, he would like his body to be donated for science. We are respecting his wishes and will not be holding a funeral but a memorial service. We are not sure on when we will be doing the memorial service as we are trying to get all of our family together but we will let you know as soon as we figure it out. Also, I am getting many messages though phone, texts, Facebook, ect. Please forgive me if it takes time or I don't get to you very quickly. Thank you for your support, prayers, and love during this trying time.
Love, IsaBelle
Update: We will be holding a candlelight vigil as a memorial for Ric at the tennis courts in River Heights at the old elementary on Sunday at sunset. We would love to see anyone and everyone who had Ric as part of their lives. Please spread the word to anyone who would like to attend. Thank you for all your continuous love for our family. We have felt strength from all your love.
I love you cousin! I am having such a difficult time processing this. I don't know a great deal about the afterlife but I do find comfort in the words of the prophet Alma,
ReplyDelete"Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life."
With this knowledge we can rest assured that our friend (cousin/brother) was received home into the world of spirits of 'that God who gave [him] life.'
Even with this knowledge and the peace it brings, my heart aches for you and your family. I'm grateful you were able to speak about hope. I do have a beautiful hope for us and our eternal reunions with those on the other side - and yes there are many who await on the other side.
Again, I love you so much dear cousin. Please pass my love even from my hospital bed onto the rest of your clan. I miss and love you all! Pictures online are good but visits if/when you're in Salt Lake are better.
Much love!
Marshall
Thank you Marshall. Your words bring me peace and humility. If I ever make it that way I will definitely visit. Thank you. We pray for you daily and I hope you can feel strength as I have felt strength from other prayers through our trials. Love you!!
DeleteThank you Isabelle.
ReplyDeleteSince Monday I have felt emptiness and a feeling of something about Ric's passing that was not finished. Getting to the root of these feelings somehow seemed too far off. My thoughts were hazy and distant. Visible but unfocused.
Your touching and poignant tribute to your brother, my nephew, put into words what my head and my heart wanted but couldn't reach.
Thank you again.
Also, I want to add my faith and trust in the words of Alma that Marshall quoted and my belief in life hereafter. I know our departed loved ones are not gone and are not far away.
We will see and be with Richard again, and the rest of all those we love so dearly and miss so much.
Love always,
Uncle Keith