Till We Meet Again

We jokingly talk about gathering together as families at weddings and funerals. Right now we seem to be in the funeral phase. My emotions are so tender right now that it is very difficult to even think of words to explain.

Growing up here in Orangeville with family around, we knew we always had someone to turn to. Mom's brother and sister each lived on just the next block: a block "over" to Uncle Royce's, a block "up" to Aunt Barbara's. Cousins close by. Wayne was in the grade ahead of me, and James was there in my class. My two closest cousins. Me with the two boys. And James was just two days younger than me so we shared birthdays. I remember when he moved from Orangeville to Salt Lake, how I hated the thought of him not close by.Even though he was sometimes a pain and teased me endlessly once we got to Junior High, I enjoyed his company so much.

We had so many camping trips together to Blue Lake and Indian Creek. We talked on the phone many times. When it looked like the possibility of me not having a date for my own Junior Prom, James called me and said he would love to come down and be my date. I will always remember him for being so thoughtful of me. When he came down to visit for the weekend or holiday, he always came to pick me up, or I picked him up and we shared the time with each other.

I had just had a baby when James and Kelly got married. I wasn't going to miss his wedding for anything. I remember him seeing me there and giving me his big hug and telling everyone that I had just had a baby and would still be there for him. Of course I wouldn't have missed seeing him happily married for anything.

When James' wife, Kelly, recently passed away my heart was broken for him. I can still feel his arm around my shoulder as we stood looking at her and talking about our recent family reunion. We sat and talked so long with each other at the park that day. We laughed and talked and enjoyed each others company.

And now, they are both gone. Gone on to more wonderful things. I am so glad that James didn't have to wait long to be with Kelly again. Although I would have chosen for him to be here with us for a much longer time, the Lord saw that it wasn't to be. For whatever reason. Times like this we just have so many questions about how and why. The only way I can imagine being able to handle the emotions is just knowing that someone else is in charge.

I don't know anyone who doesn't believe that life continues after death. I hear that some people in the world don't believe there is an existence after death, but I don't know any who feel that way. I can't imagine what they think or feel as a person in their family dies. I just can't imagine what it would be like to not know that the person we love still lives on. I am so glad I have that to hold on to because it would be too heartbreaking to have someone just gone.

We cry because we love someone. We cry because the experiences we shared will not be added upon. What we had together is all we have, no more earthly reunions, car rides, no more stories to share, no more earthly hugs. However, we have a glorious reunion waiting for us in heaven at some future time. You just don't ever know when that time will arrive.

Thanks for being a great cousin. I love you and will miss you so much.