Wow, so I guess I am getting the lamest blogger in the world award:) I really can't believe how fast this past year has flown by. I am pretty sure around March I was determined to be a better blogger and somehow life got off track and here we are in November.
Today as I was running on the treadmill at the gym (yay me!) and the song Permanent by David Cook came on. Somehow this song made it into my workout music, not sure how. I then proceeded to start bawling and I am pretty sure those around me thought they were running next to a nut case. And as a side note...it is nearly impossible to run, breathe, and cry at the same time...I am lucky I didn't break something! The song is about David's brother who had been fighting cancer. For a long time now I have been meaning to post about Chris, but it has just been too hard for me to put my feelings down in words....
Chris is one of my heroes. He is the example of everything I hope to become. He is what helps me get through the rough days that life has been throwing at me. I love the saying he and his amazing wife Jen always said through out it all. They never complained, they just said that " There are no bad days, only good days and better days". If I can tackle my trials with that attitude and faith I can survive anything.
He fought cancer twice in his life and passed away April 25th of this year leaving behind his wife Jen and baby girl Sadie. Both times Chris had an amazing spirit and strength that touched everyone he came in contact with. His faith was unfaltering and I am so blessed to have had him as my brother and as my friend. I feel so thankful for the trials that brought me to Logan and allowed me to spend so much more time with him before he was taken home.
I have been reading a copy of Chris's journal and while my whole life I have known that Chris was something very special and an incredible person, it has really hit home reading his inner thoughts and feelings. His testimony of the gospel gives me such strength to get up everyday and be so grateful for everything that I have, even the trials that seem so hard to bear because those trials refine us and mold us into something even better. I love to read about how much he loved and respected Jen, that he counted himself so lucky to have her. I am so grateful to her for being such an inspiration to me. She is such a good mommy to Sadie and I know that Chris is watching out for them from above and just amazed at how well Jen handles everything that comes her way. I am so grateful that Chris was able to become a daddy. Sadie is a true joy and I love her to pieces! (Who couldn't though...have you seen her infectious, non stop smile??)
While at times my heartache seems so unbearable and I miss him so much, I know that Chris was needed at the time he was called home for very specific purposes. I am so thankful to have him rooting for me on the other side! I hope that one day I can become half the person that Chris was.
