Good bye means God be with you...

I have experienced death. I’m sure you have as well. Death is unknown and extremely painful. All through history humans have tried to make up explanations for death and what happens after words. Death is powerful, it can change a person completely in moments. It can brings friends and enemies together in an unbreakable bond. I would argue that death is one of the single most powerful forces on earth. Christ came suffered and died for us so that we could escape eternal death and return home to our Father.

Is death an ending or is it a beginning? Through my experiences and personal revaluations I know with every fiber of my being that death is only a beginning. I know that this is a short period of time in the eternal plan of life and happiness. I know that I will see my loved ones again and I look forward to that day with great anticipation and hope. I know that they are here, I have felt there presence time and time again. They have given all of us small gifts and signs to let us know that we are in their hearts as they are in ours. I know that many who have passed in my life are teaching and learning, still waiting for that day when Jesus Christ will come again on that great and dreadful day. What a joyous day to come when we can embrace those we love and feel the peace that they never truly left us.

This knowledge is not something I made up or something I believe in because I have to or because my parents do. This knowledge was sought for with blood, sweat, tears and some of the greatest pain I have and will ever feel. March 26, 2006 tragedy struck hard in our little community. I was 14 years old, for the first time in my life I questioned. I was lost and confused and angry. For the first time in my short life I needed to know for sure. I needed to leave the care of my parents testimonies and beliefs and I needed to know for me how something like this could ever happen. It took so much for me to know and to understand and it was not easy it was painful and lonely. There is great light and hope at the end of this journey. I would not trade my testimony of life and death for anything in the world. I would give my life in a second for what I believe it is that precious to me and it is that real to me.

I am so grateful for the privilege of knowing and contacting with those who have passed in my life. Each time I have lost someone I have felt an unbelievable pain but with that pain is hope a hope that brings peace to know it’s okay to keep going it’s all going to be okay in the end you WILL see them again. Others are not so lucky, I think the most painful thing for me in these tragic moments are those without the hope and without a knowing that they will see them again. Those who only see death as an end break my heart because of the unbelievable hopelessness in their hearts. To me that is more painful than anything in a tragedy.

These are the moments that define us and make us who we truly are, these hard times and people. Even though at times we do not much enjoy people we have to look for the beauty that each has. We have to spend time and cherish every moment with the people in our lives because the next moment they might be gone. I know all these things are true. I know I will see my friends and families again. I know that death is not an ending but a beginning...

God be with you till we meet again....