in the morning

i received some very sad news today.
my aunt's little brother who is about my age passed away unexpectedly.
i have known him since i was little and although we weren't extremely close,
i wrote him a lot on his mission and hung out with him a little since he has been home.
i've had enough interaction with him to know that helping others was his driving force.
my little cousin tyler (who is his nephew) would always talk about how he was his hero.
it touched my heart.
it is cool to see how people can impact other people in such an amazing way.
and it makes me happy to know that he left this world a better place.
still, my heart aches for his loss.
and for his family.
my aunt cheree, his sister, is one of the strongest, most resilient women i know.
she has had 2 other siblings, and one of her own sons pass away.
she has been through more than most of us can even imagine.

yet, this is the status she posted today: one day after her baby brother's death.
and on her birthday

"Thank you all for the many birthday wishes. I will be honest it's been a very rough day. I learned first thing this morning that my little brother died last night. It was very unexpected and my heart is breaking right now. My parents will be coming home from their mission in Lisbon Portugal tomorrow. Please just give prayers in my families behalf. Also, I want everyone in the World to know that I know I will see my brother, my 2 sisters, and my little baby boy again someday! This is not the end! Jesus is the Christ, the redeemer and the Savior of the World! He lives, and so will Greg again someday!"

this is one of the most inspiring things i have ever read.

her heart is breaking. she deserves to be bitter, sad, angry.

but instead she is spreading words of hope and faith.

it brought tears to my eyes

her strength.

i hope one day i can be half the woman she is.

then i looked at something my 15 year old cousin tyler (cheree's oldest son) posted on greg's wall:

"Greg...you are like my older brother, my hero and my friend! I'm so grateful for all of the good times and lessons you have taught me and for being an amazing Uncle. I'm sad that I didn't get to say goodbye, but I know this isn't the end. Tell my brother hi for me, ok?"

now it's a 15 year old boy i am learning from and being inspired by. 

that last line made me bawl....

i am truly humbled.

and it is almost beautiful that it happened on easter- his passing

because we are all extra aware of the resurrection and sacrifice

that Christ performed for us so that we can too be resurrected

and be reunited with all of our loved ones one day.

i am so grateful for the hope that the gospel can bring to our lives

even when the unimaginable happens.

it's so easy to say you believe in the atonement and resurrection and eternal families when things are going well.

it takes someone with unbelievable strength and faith to profess the same things after something so tragic has happened.

this whole experience has really put things into perspective to me.

and helped me realize 

what is truly important, and what is so ridiculously insignificant.

im so grateful for my testimony, my family, and all the people i love.

those are the things i will always cling to in this life.

"His death sealed the testimony of His love for all mankind. His resurrection opened the gates of salvation to the sons and daughters of God of all generations."

and this song...is perfect for this topic.

See You In The Morning by Kenneth Cope. i can't find a link to it but here is my favorite line.

"I'll see you on that morning when i rise and shine...
we'll wake up once again at dawning as if there never was a night
you'll be seeing me, i'll be seeing you...
in the morning."


we love you greg. 
thank you for being a hero and inspiration to many.
and living such a christ like, exemplary life.


and one last quote...


""Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed." -Jeffrey R. Holland"