He will be missed

I finally have some time to think about stuff other than school and school. This last week my great uncle Henry passed away. I don’t know if it’s normal to be close to great uncles, but uncle Henry was a lot like my Grandpa. Looked like him. Sounded like him. Answered to "Grandpa." And since my grandpa lived across country in Maryland, he filled the shoes willingly and perfectly when Grandpa wasn’t around.

His death was bittersweet. Yes, we are going to miss him. He was one of the most cheerful people I know. But, he had lived a full 90 years and his wife passed away some time ago. It is great to know that they are reunited. Not to mention 8 of his 11 siblings who were there to meet him. I'm sure there was a big family reunion. (Big family=big family reunion. It’s the way to go.)  Whenever someone close passes on, naturally it causes me to pause and think about death and especially life. What is it like on the other side? What is like leaving your body behind? What more can I do to make my life more worthwhile? Of course because of the gospel we have so many answers. I love answers.

His death brought back memories and feelings that I had just over a year while I was sitting vigil with my own grandpa (mom's side) while he was preparing to go to the other side. So many thoughts and impressions came to me. It is awesome (In the true sense of the word.) to be close to someone who is preparing to move one to the next act of this play called life. (Packer, May 1995) The whole experience is incredible and very spiritual.  I was fortunate to be there to say "we love you grandpa" one more time as he was leaving the room. (That is exactly what it felt like.) Birth and death are spiritual experiences, intense, but very spiritual. I've been blessed to have the incredible opportunities of witnessing both.

Although I know that this is not the end and I will see them again, it’s sad to have grandpa's generation slowly leaving. They will be missed. This life is so incredibly short. I'm thankful for life. I am thankful that I have had so many opportunities to fill my life with so many different experiences and amazing people. Each one is priceless and has made me a better person.

These are just some thoughts I have had in the middle of all my busyness. This last week was insane. Decision analysis project, website redesign, 2 oral presentations, power point, interviews--and this was just Thursday. It was fantastic.

Cheers