A lot has happened just over this week or whenever I last updated. I had a fun birthday party up at the Jones' place of residence, with quite a few people that showed up. We mostly just listened to music and messed around all night - it really was a lot of fun. I think it was just the kind of thing I was looking for. Jeff angered me because we had a wrestling match and he started putting me in holds that were actually cutting off my wind pipe, but... at least that ended. It was pretty ok after that, I was glad to have the decrease of everyone when people started filtering out and it quieted down. Still, I look forward to the next time something big like that can happen.
The same night Chris and I hid easter eggs all around the house. We intended to make some of them impossible to find, because mom was telling us how she was still finding some of them from last year. We wanted the same thing to happen. Unfortunately most of our efforts were thwarted as the greatest ones that we hid were all discovered! Except for some of the more obvious ones, like the one in the teddy bear's shirt downstairs and the one underneath the Love-Sac. I think there was one left in the hallway light, too...
Things have gone back to normal for the most part, too. Chris and Jekka left for SUU on Monday, which sucked. I missed being able to do stuff and have somewhere to go everyday of the week. That was very nice. But I think there's only like... two weeks? Something like that. They'll be back up for another weekend, and then only a couple more weeks after that and school will be dismissed. I'm looking forward to that; I'm ready for school to be done. I think it's a consensus.
Unfortunately, on a less-happy note, my uncle's failing health finally let loose on him, and he passed away last week. The funeral was today. It was incredibly long, but wonderful at the same time. Everyone had only the best to say about my uncle Darryl, even some people that didn't even know him. A friend of my mom's that came by the funeral listened to the talks and commented that, listening to everyone, it made her want to know Darryl.
The viewing was last night, family thing. Eric came with me, as a kind of volunteer. It was kind of nice to have him there, being with my family for so long can be overwhelming some times. He and I walked up to the open-casket and he explained a little bit to me about the temple garb that Darryl was dressed in. After a pause, I started to reflect on the lesson we had in Institute just last Wednesday. I don't think it was some sort of coincidence that we'd have a lesson on death and the after-life only three days before a funeral. As I was looking into the casket, at Darryl's mortal remains, I told Eric how weird it is, or it would be, for people to not have anything to believe in. To have death be death, the end the end, and nothing to look forward to or strive for. How incredibly... well, mysterious, even. Just to die? A funeral without beliefs would be the most horrible thing to go to. Today we had a celebration of Darryl's life - our memories, his accomplishments, and how he touched so many lives. What would it be otherwise? It's difficult to celebrate death; you only have a memory to look forward to if there's nothing for you to believe in.
Although it wasn't the best situation, the funeral this weekend reaffirmed the reason why I'm going on a mission. I can't believe people are able to go through their life without having something as great and powerful - and comforting - as the gospel. Even though I know Darryl is gone, I've already learned that he's with us now, waiting and watching for a chance to maybe help when someone needs it, waiting for the rest of his family to come to him.
"Maybe the spirit is too strong, or the flesh is too weak."
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Now playing: Symphony X - Rediscovery, Part 2: The New Mythology
via FoxyTunes
Closed Door, Opened Window
12 years ago
