My brother passed away today a little before 3:00 pm.August 3, 2010.
We were out, as a family, playing in the ocean with our friends.
Laughing, playing and in between ducking or jumping waves...
Laughing, playing and in between ducking or jumping waves...
I was sharing all the funny stories I had about my brother.
We came in from the water at 3:15
and I saw a message from my mom and called home.
We came in from the water at 3:15
and I saw a message from my mom and called home.
And, bawled on the beach with my family and dear friends.
Now looking back at it, he was watching over us playing in the ocean.
Probably smiling and laughing with us.
Now looking back at it, he was watching over us playing in the ocean.
Probably smiling and laughing with us.
He is free from his limitations.
Returning to heaven with honor.
And most definitely walking and talking up a blue streak.
It's going to be a rough road ahead.
I am going to deeply miss him.
I love you, Jason.
Can't wait to get home to everyone tomorrow.
i am so deeply sorry for your loss april! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! xoxo- natchr
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. When I read your description of how he was doing it reminded me of my brother's last few days. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeletewe love you and your family April! Our prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. I loved reading your description of what Jason is doing right now. What a blessing to know you'll see him again. In the meantime, I pray that your family will be comforted in the difficult days ahead.
ReplyDeleteI am so very very sorry for your and your family's loss...know that I have been thinking and praying for your brother and continue to do so....hang in there my friend...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry April. He is home in Heaven with no pain and basking in the glory of our Father. I will be praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteMay your heart forever be filled with his memory. Sending you my Mommy loves.
ReplyDeleteWe love you guys and send our thoughts and prayers for you all at this hard time. So thankful for our knowledge of eternal families! Hope to see you this weekend. Big hugs to you all.
ReplyDeleteHi there...I just came across your blog and wanted to say how sorry I am. I lost a sister when I was younger and my mom 3 yrs ago. I know its hard.... and wish I could give you a big hug. As wierd as it sounds enjoy this special time with your family. It will bring you all so close at this time and you will feel you brother there at these times of closeness I'm sure. Take care and keep your chin up. Hugs, karla
ReplyDeleteOh April....Jason fought the good fight for such a long time, he can now rest. I am so sorry for your loss, nothing that comes to mind seems to be good enough to say so just know I am thinking of you and your family, his kids, it is so sad, so young, so sad.
ReplyDelete((hugs))
Lisa
April, I am so sorry for your loss, but I am grateful for your example through this difficult time. I know you are right when you say Jason was watching and laughing with your family. There is much joy to be had with such a tremendous loss. Our prayers are with you and your amazing family. What a great example Jason was to us of his devotion to the Lord and love of the gospel. May we all return with honor.
ReplyDelete<3 you and I will keep your family in my prayers. I'm so sorry~
ReplyDeleteWe are so very sorry to hear of your loss! Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this hard time and if there is anything that we can do, please let us know. I know that you and Jill have been wonderful sisters to Jason and may those memories always fill your heart. Sending you big hugs!!
ReplyDeleteThe Rasmusens
My prayers are with you April! No words can express how deeply sorry I am for you and your family! Sending you love and hugs from NC!
ReplyDelete~Molly P
I have no doubt he was watching you guys and was at peace. I am so sorry and am praying for you. I hope you can feel the love and prayers of all your friends because there are obviously a lot of them and it is wonderful and amazing.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your brother. Happy he's somewhere where there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I am so sorry about the loss of your brother. I don't know what people do who don't know God and don't have the hope and knowledge that you do. Praying for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are with you and your family during this time.
ReplyDeleteApril....I'm so sorry....you said it so beautifully though...sending you many hugs...and warm thoughts...
ReplyDeleteYour family is in my thoughts and prayers! Lots of HUGS your way!
ReplyDeleteApril...I am so so sorry for you loss. You and your family are in my prayers!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family. You have been in my prayers and will continue to be. May all of the beautiful, happy memories of your brother give you comfort on your road ahead. XOXO Michelle
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your family. You have been in my prayers and will continue to be. May all of the beautiful, happy memories of your brother give you comfort on your road ahead. XOXO Michelle
ReplyDeleteOh April~ I'm so so sorry! There really are no words - but from what I can tell - Jason was (and continues to be) one lucky guy! Blessings to you all! Mona
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this news. I think it's great that you are able to have such happy memories of him and feel that he was there with you when he passed away. He seems like a great man and I'm sure will continue to be so!
ReplyDeleteApril I am so sorry for your family's loss. What you wrote was beautiful and so true. You're family will be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteI am at a loss for words {wow!} and although I don't know the pain of letting a sibling return home, I can understand the deep loss of a loved one. Saying a prayer for you...for peace and comfort. I know you realize that he is home now, but that doesn't take all of your sadness away. I loved that you were playing on the beach with your family, telling funnies about Jason, and I'm sure he was there laughing with all of you :)
ReplyDeleteBig hugs from TX,
Alicia
Beautiful Post April. My prayers are with your family.
ReplyDeleteDriving home last night from the beach, Big Rob and I talked about Jason & about life. Despite not really ever knowing him we feel like we learned a lot from him and your family.
ReplyDeleteYou all are perfect examples of how to serve and how to love one another... so thank you.
I can't stop thinking about you all. There's always a little prayer and my heart for comfort and peace.
You've spent so many years taking care of your little brother, I'm sure he can't wait to return the favor.
Lots of love and prayers, April!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry April..sending lots of love and hugs to you and your family. xxxx
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about Jason. We are out of town until Tuesday, but please let me know if there is ANYTHING I can do for you and your family, especially Blake and Kaia. I know how much they LOVED their Uncle Jason. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Isn't it wonderful to know that even though it's hard for us to say goodbye to a loved one for a while, at least we know that they are in a better place with one more suffering!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Lisa
I am so sorry for your loss dear April, so grateful for his freedom and I think that you were in the perfect place at the perfect time. I'm sure he loved watching you all living and loving each other in that beautiful setting....perfect.
ReplyDeleteMy heart, prayers and tears are with you all....((((((())))))
Your relationship with your brother is something I've always admired. I think it's something to live up to. My thoughts are with you and yours.
ReplyDeleteJason was a remarkable guy. There were several times he said the greatest things to me! My favorite is the time he told me if they moved he was going to wear a polo shirt to church the first week, so that he wouldn't get a "big" calling. He said this when he was in the Bishopric. What a great guy. Always ready to laugh and make a joke. He will be missed!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about your brother.....you were both fortunate to have each other. At another time I would love to connect with you about your son. My son is 11 and has tethered cord syndrome (related to Spina Bifida) and is amazing and wonderful as I imagine your son is :) I am hoping love and comfort for you and yours as you cope with this loss.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. <3
ReplyDeleteApril I am so sorry for your family's loss. I pray that the Lord blesses you and holds you close so that you can get past the pain and onto cherishing all the wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteJulie
So sorry April. I can tell how much he meant to you and your family. Those are great pictures you posted.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
jennifer and family
So sorry to hear this news...thinking of you and your family. I love that you were ocean side and smiling with your family, the way Jason would have wanted you. Hang in there and keep remembering that he really is in a wonderful place, free of pain now.
ReplyDeleteprayers sent. your brother will always be special to you, i can tell by the way your write about him. he is blessed to have you!!
ReplyDeleteYou and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteApril, my heart absolutely sank when I read this. I love following your blog and have loved getting to know your family, especially your brother, thru following it. He sure seemed like a man of honor. A true soldier who fought his absolute hardest until the very end. What a peaceful place he is in right now. I'm almost jealous just hinking about all of the amazing individuals that have passed on before us that he is able to meet and hang out with. What an awesome vision. Doesn't make it much easier though for those he left behind. I'm am so sorry to you and the rest of your family and to his own little family. I'm praying for continued peace, comfort and understanding. Miss you tons April! Laura (temple)
ReplyDeleteApril, We are sending thoughts and prayers to you and your entire family. I can't imagine how you feel during this time. When I had the privelage of going to your house during high school, I always admired the love and respect your family showed to one another. This, and the wonderful memories you have of Jason will get you through the tough times ahead...
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ReplyDeleteSo very sorry for your loss. Praying for healing and peace for your family!
ReplyDeleteApril, I am so, so sorry for your loss. Siblings provide us with such a unique relationship ... but you have given Jason such a beautiful tribute here. I know he is smiling down on you all.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear this. I hope you're doing alright. I know that he is in a better place & your faith will sustain you through this. Our prayers are with you and your family!!
ReplyDeleteApril,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Brothers are very special {I have 3 of my own} and I know you will miss yours dearly. What a blessing to have the Gospel and to have a sure knowledge that we will be with our loved ones again. My husband and I lost our dear friend last year to brain cancer. He was 38 and left behind a wonderful wife and 3 amazing children. It was so difficult for us all to lose such a great man. I wanted to share this with you. I will never forget what his wife said when she spoke at his funeral, I wrote it down in my scriptures afterward so I would never forget it. She read from Moroni 7:{verses 37 and 42}. She explained that she knew and now understood that her husband's early death was part of Heavenly Father's plan for their family. {He had fought the cancer for 4 years} She then said something that has always stayed with me...
"There is a difference between hoping, believing and knowing...I don't just hope or believe that I will see my husband again. I know I will. And we will walk hand in hand again."
You and your family are in my prayers.
-jennifer
thinking of you and wondering how your doing...
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