Wow. This has been a very emotional and exhausting weekend. On Friday morning at 7:15 a.m., I got a call from my mom. I immediately thought that something must be wrong for her to be calling so early on a school day. I was right. My Uncle Dick had been playing basketball that morning as was his usual practice... he made the winning 3 pointer and immediately collapsed. He had a major heart - attack. There was a Dr. playing with him, who immediately started CPR and he received a priesthood blessing as well, but in spite of their best efforts, he never came back. Over the past 2 days his family have been waiting at the hospital, hoping and praying for a miracle. Tonight around 7:20 p.m. he passed on.
I can't imagine our world without Uncle Dick. The best way to discribe him is that he was larger than life! He had the best sense of humour and never shied away from telling it straight. He was tough on the outside... but a teddy bear on the inside. He loved his family... all of us with his whole heart. I remember leaving for my mission and getting the biggest hug from him, the same when I returned. He had such an amazing testimony and I still have a letter he sent me and will treasure it always. I can't really express my grief at his passing. Dick or Richard as we later started calling him, was a second Father to me. He was my Dad's best friend growing up and later his brother as he married my dad's sister Sandy. So we have always been very close.
Watching his sweet wife and children go through this has been so hard. Watching my Dad, as his best friend and brother lay dying... and just trying to put it all into some kind of perspective has been extremely hard.
I am so grateful for my knowledge of Eternal Families and that this is not the end. It doesn't make being here without him any easier right now, but I know that it makes all the difference between feeling utter despair and feeling the hope of a tomorrow.
Uncle Dick... I love you and thank you for your life and all of the blessings knowing and loving you has brought into mine. You are an amazing man and I am sure their was much rejoicing in heaven at your arrival. Give Kristen and G&G Barnes a hug for me... know that you will be deeply missed and that we are all watching out for your family as I know you will be. Be at peace and...'until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.'
I can't imagine our world without Uncle Dick. The best way to discribe him is that he was larger than life! He had the best sense of humour and never shied away from telling it straight. He was tough on the outside... but a teddy bear on the inside. He loved his family... all of us with his whole heart. I remember leaving for my mission and getting the biggest hug from him, the same when I returned. He had such an amazing testimony and I still have a letter he sent me and will treasure it always. I can't really express my grief at his passing. Dick or Richard as we later started calling him, was a second Father to me. He was my Dad's best friend growing up and later his brother as he married my dad's sister Sandy. So we have always been very close.
Watching his sweet wife and children go through this has been so hard. Watching my Dad, as his best friend and brother lay dying... and just trying to put it all into some kind of perspective has been extremely hard.
I am so grateful for my knowledge of Eternal Families and that this is not the end. It doesn't make being here without him any easier right now, but I know that it makes all the difference between feeling utter despair and feeling the hope of a tomorrow.
Uncle Dick... I love you and thank you for your life and all of the blessings knowing and loving you has brought into mine. You are an amazing man and I am sure their was much rejoicing in heaven at your arrival. Give Kristen and G&G Barnes a hug for me... know that you will be deeply missed and that we are all watching out for your family as I know you will be. Be at peace and...'until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand.'
5 comments:
I heard about Uncle Dick's passing yesterday. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family. Uncle Legrand was like a second father to me as well. What great men we have been blessed with to have in our lives! Thanks for posting such a wonderful tribute. I will see you Thursday. Love you tons.
I have a fun childhood memory of running around Geri and Glen's yard while we sang, "No bears are out tonight, Daddy shot them all last night!" Then Legrand, Dick and all the other uncles and dads would run out growling, chasing us till we made it "home". Some made it "home" sooner than others. It meant they were safe.
We have been blessed with wonderful family. Our love and prayers are with all of you right now.
That's a great memory of mine, too :)
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute you have written. He sounds like he was an amazing man.
Thank you so much for the memories and the condolences! I appreciate all of you.
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