Reflections

I found a few minutes today to finish a project that's been going on since the funeral - to write up my talk and think about the events that have transpired in the last two months.

I never took the opportunity to write everything down I had meant to say.  So after the funeral, I had no documentation on what it was I'd spoken about during the funeral service.  Grandma Jeri saved the day with a partial transcript and an audio recording of my thoughts from the funeral.  I've finished transcribing them and have made it available (for the two or three of you who may be interested) by following this link to a PDF.  Don't get too excited, only my remarks are in this document.

I've been reflecting on the thought that Ryan's earthly mission is over, but we still have much to do.  I've been thinking often of the Lott family and the many others who have struggled recently with health issues.

It's the reflections that allow us to appreciate the things around us.  From Poland, 2006.

Our neighbors, for example, who nearly lost their baby daughter in a tragic fall, or Jamie Lamb Hilton, who also suffered a potentially deadly fall.  I think also of Stacy Bingham, who I grew up with in Trenton, and the three children she has with severe heart conditions.  One who's had a heart transplant, one on the list for a new heart, and one being medicated so he hopefully doesn't end up on the list. Or little McKennlie from Hooper.  And many others who could just use a little encouragement.

I'm confident that there will come a day when we'll understand why bad things happen to good people and why many suffer and some are taken in their youth, but until then we live by faith. 

As President Hinckley reminded us, may we strive to stand a little taller, and be a little kinder, and reach out a little more to those in need, because of Ryan and his example.

Even rainbows reflect on things from time to time (our house last year).