Yesterday my Dad's younger brother Uncle Ralph passed away and less than 12 hours earlier my Dad's cousin Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin passed away as well. My heart goes out in comfort to my Dad today as he will miss both of these relatives on a very personal level. My heart goes out to all of us as we also remember my sister Julie today.
My eyes tear up but I'm not sad. It is joy that brings these tears as I reflect on the many ways these individuals have blessed the lives of others. I was especially touched by Elder Wirthlin's last conference address. Even my children were impacted by his great message and are the first to shout out "laugh" anytime someone bonks their head or breaks a dish.
In the midst of my Christmas decorating and as I reflect on the passing of loved ones, I am reminded of the Savior, His great love and sacrifice for each of us. His gift of eternal life is the greatest of all gifts. Elder Wirthlin reminded us just over a year ago "Because the Savior laid down His life for us,23 we have a brightness of hope, a confidence and security that when we pass from this worldly existence, we will live again with Him." I am most grateful for this message on this particular day and hope it remains in my heart not just throughout this Christmas season but each day that I live.
Beautifully expressed. And my kind thoughts go to your family, especially your dad. :)
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ReplyDeleteAl---you eloquently described how I am feeling today. I also think of Julie as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your sweet testimony that death is not the end. And it is all possible because of the Savior.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is also related, though very distantly, to Elder Wirthlin. It is through the Bitner side. His great-grandmother was Ada Bitner, Elder Wirthlin's aunt. Every year there is a big Brenneman Barr Bitner (Ada's father) family reunion at Morinda Gardens in Orem.
Thank you for sharing that. My heart goes out to your sweet dad.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with you today and you think of Julie especially. I still remember the time we were in Mich. and you just stopped by the grave for a minute. Tears sprang to my eyes immediately as you left the car as I couldn't even imagine having lost a sister so young. You have handled it amazingly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Al.. it was a rough week. I was in the hospital getting cardioverted and as they were trying to put in an IV, I got the message that Ralph had pased away..I asked for a minute pause.. and then they went on.
ReplyDeleteWith these passings though there are arrivals and we celebrate the arrival of Rob and Eva's little guy.. nine pound Luke Wirthlin, our 68th grandchild.
Elder Wirthlin's funeral was very touching. I have a picture of Julie above my computer and I always think of her.
Love, Dad
Alison,
ReplyDeleteMy family and I were honored to get to read your dad's remarks about Elder Wirthlin on his blog. They replayed the funeral soon afterwards on BYUTV so we got to see your dad's interaction with President Monson and then wiping his eyes. It was SO NEAT to get to know what he said to him! We love you and your family!