For Good

Last Wednesday, our dear "cousin" David died suddenly at the age of 28 of a brain aneurism. This amazing individual, David R. Wright, led an amazing life, a life to be honored, remembered, and modeled. David left behind a beautiful and unbelievably strong wife, Kelli, a beautiful little girl Kennedy, and 3 weeks before his death had learned that his amazing wife was expecting another little one.

I have lost grandparents and other family members/ward members etc...of which death has come as a blessing, and for the most part death was a joyous event as it was a reunification of spouses, family members, and children, as well as freedom from physical and mental illness. Until last Wednesday I did not know what it meant to grieve. Until last Wednesday I did not question our Heavenly Fathers plan for his children. And until last Wednesday I did not know what it felt like to look at a person and wish more than anything that you could take upon yourself their suffering so that their pain is even a millionth fraction less. Now I know.

At the viewing on Fathers' Day and Monday at the funeral I just kept thinking "This isn't right. This isn't how it's supposed to be." People always say "There work in this life was completed" to explain these events...they say "God had other work for them to do". Perhaps this is true, but I can't help but think of Dave's beautiful wife, his little girl, and unborn child. It's hard for me to believe that a great priesthood holding man, with a new family, and life full of potential was needed more on the other side, than he was needed here on earth. I have a testimony of the plan of salvation and faith in our Heavenly Father, however I know I was not alone with these thoughts and feelings.

On Monday, Kelli gave an amazing tribute to her love and soul mate Dave. I don't know many women that are that strong. She is truly a woman of faith, who has centered her life around Christ. She bore a beautiful testimony of the Savior and bore witness of his love for his children, and for her. As I heard her testimony, I knew. I knew that it was okay to be sad. I knew it was okay to greive. I knew that our Heavenly Father loves us and will not give us trials above that which we are able to withstand. I knew that Kelli, her beautiful little girl, and her baby to come were all loved and in the watchful care of our Heavenly Father. I knew that despite the pain, the Wright and Bell family would be okay.

At the viewing and the funeral there were photographs of David and attached were beautiful quotes. One that touched me was:
"In the gosple of Jesus Christ, we have help from both sides of the viel. When disappointment and discouragement strike and they will we need to remember that if our eyes could be opened, we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as they eye can see, riding at great speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven." - Jeffrey R. Holland

It is now Thursday, and I have been in and out of tears for the past week. My thoughts and prayers are with my "Uncle Rex", "Aunt Marilyn" and our Wright "cousins" (my dad is an only child so his best friends became family to us. We went on vacations each year with the dear Wright family to Yellowstone and other spots. I remember being shocked at age 14 to learn that these dear individuals were not really related to us...you'd think it would have clicked that they couldn't really be relatives as my dad had no siblings).

I cannot help but be reminded of one of my favorite songs, "For Good" from the Broadway musical Wicked. David is such a remarkable individual and I know that his life has not ended with death. He has touched so many lives "For Good" because of the way he lived. I hope that when my days on this earth are over that I have lived as he did and that "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7)

Love to you all.