Though I miss my brother and wish he could have lived a longer happy life, I'm grateful for many things. I'm glad that he lived a whole year longer than expected. I'm grateful that he had someone to love, and who loved him, all his adult life and that she was able to be with him to the end of his life on earth.
I'm grateful that Jim had amazing talents. I remember when he was only eight years old and drew portraits of JFK and Nixon. They were good! Years later when I came back home for Christmas, I showed my brother how I had learned to do potato printing during my student teaching. I demonstrated by clumsily cutting a star on the potato. Jim picked up the other half and quickly cut out, in neat block letters, "Merry Christmas". He amazed me. Later, he used his talents to build a business where he designed replacement parts and other modifications for old classic racing cars. He was well respected and even flown around the world to work on the cars during the races.
I'm glad he had these opportunities and that he had pretty good health for most of his life. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to have him as my brother and grow up together.
I know that 69 is not considered that old anymore and that some people might even question how "God could let this happen". They seem to feel that they are somehow bestowing some great honor on God by believing in Him, and that they will only believe in God if he gives them what they want when they want it.
This reminds me of when my children were young. When I refused to give into some demand, they would yell that I "wasn't their mother". It didn't change my love for them, my actions, or who I really was. Telling me that I wasn't their mother if I wouldn't allow them to control me, changed nothing. I still had to do what would be the best for them in the long run. I needed to teach them to share and be responsible. I did the things that were necessary to help them grow and become happy adults.
I am sure Heavenly Father feels this way far more than I did. I have had enough experiences in my life to know that He really loves me, understands me, knows what will happen in my future. I know He is helping me to become the best person I can be by allowing me to face challenges and grow with His help.
I've also had enough "near death" experiences to know that our life does not end when we leave this mortal experience. I know that we have family and friends waiting to greet us when we reach the "other side" and that we can continue learning and growing there.
Through my brother's mortal body could no longer house his spirit, someday in the future, because of the atonement of our Savior, Jim will receive his body back again, whole and immortal. I look forward to the time when Jim and I can be together again.
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