In God's Hands

Today, I attended a funeral. 

I have not been able to stop thinking about it since and I felt I just needed to write...that's just what I do. My heart is full and my eyes are freely-flowing. Chels and I went to show support for one of our dearest childhood friends and family we have known and loved since we were 10 or 11. Their oldest son and brother died in a motorcycle accident last Saturday. He was 27. 

The chapel was filled with friends and loved ones. Service men and women in their uniforms lined the chapel. It was a sight I will never forget. (He was dedicated to his military professional and served in Iraq.) The service was beautiful as family and loved ones celebrated the life of a son, brother, and loving father who left this Earth very early in life. The moment they brought in his casket draped with an American Flag to the front of the chapel, followed by his family and loved ones, I lost it. I sat there biting my lip the whole time to keep myself from breaking out into an uncontrollable sob. 

Words will never adequately articulate the sacredness and beauty of the service. Nor do I think I can ever do it justice, for I cannot even fathom the feelings and emotions the Oomrigar family is experiencing at this time. I just wanted to express how the service made me feel. It was unlike any funeral I have ever had the opportunity to attend. 

As I watched the casket enter the chapel I felt deeply saddened, hurt, and at loss for words as to why a family has to endure such pain. Although, I still feel those things, as the casket was escorted out, I felt uplifted, empowered, and full of a love, a love for our Savior and mankind. I left wanting to be a better person, wanting to stay true to myself and most importantly to this Gospel so that, one day, I too, may live with my family and loved ones again. I left wanting to put aside all of my personal needs so I can more fully serve others, unconditionally--as many commemorated Jal's life, and how it was filled with service. I left feeling a sweet, peaceful reassurance that everything will work out for this sweet family. 

With the business of our daily responsibilities in life, it is so easy to lose sight of what is really important. We didn't come to this life for fame, power, or fortune. We did not come here to climb to the highest rung on our "success" ladder only to look down to see we neglected and left those that mattered most.  We must not lose sight of what's most important in life. We will find greater happiness and purpose when we align our priorities accordingly. 

One thing I loved that was mentioned in the service was the fact that we must remember we are all children of God and we are loved beyond comprehension. God has a plan for each of us. He will never forsake us, and we must remember to never forsake Him. 

We are all imperfect. We all make mistakes. I was reminded of the importance of using the Atonement of Jesus Christ more readily to purify and cleanse our lives. We mustn't put off today, what we think we will do tomorrow. Do it today. Do it now. Forgive your enemies or those that hurt you, express love and appreciation for those around you. Today I was reminded just how precious life really is.

I left, a changed person, in the best way possible.

As we sang, "I Believe in Christ" and listened to a piano arrangement of "I Need Thee Every Hour," the spirit pierced my heart. How grateful I am for the gospel of Jesus Christ; for the knowledge and perspective it gives in times like these. I love this endearing family and pray that they may find peace and healing through this difficult time and all time after. I will forever and always look up to the Oomrigar family and feel deeply grateful for the relationships we have formed--whether we are together or apart. The strength and faith which your family has demonstrated through trials is simply astounding. All of you radiate a light and joy that goes unmatched. I love you all. Thank you, Thank you, Oomrigar Family, for showing me some of the greatest truths in life. 

I know God lives. I know He is taking care of your son!

Jal Oomrigar (1986-2013)

Jal sent this video to his mother a few weeks ago. Portions of it were read by his sister and our friend, Jasmin, at the service. The end part makes me cry every time as I think about Jal sending this to his family. I know these words are truth, if you have a second, you will not regret watching this: 

9/11

all day it rained. when i say rained...it POURED. 

(yes indeed, we looked extra touristy with our ponchos.)

rain or shine, life was still unbelievably good!

***

aside from the fun adventures of shopping on canal street and enjoying delicious food,  we went and saw the 9/11 Memorial. (this is a MUST SEE for anyone who comes to New York.) 

this was one of my favorite things we did all week! 

 there are two fountains that outline the exact footprint of each tower. the name of every person killed in this attack is written on the surrounding edges. they systemically ordered it so that the individuals' names were placed next to a coworker in the building or a family member. 

there is so much symbolism and meaning behind the memorial. there just really aren't words.

the survivor tree.

we then grabbed ahold of our umbrellas and sprinted to a nearby church, St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity.  this little church has also become a 9/11 memorial. it is located right down the street and was a shelter to hundreds of firefighters and other rescuers who spent day and night searching for anyone trapped in the rubble. this little Church is filled with hundreds of photographs of those who were killed and thousands of letters and other memorabilia that pay tribute to these individuals. it was very moving.

I have an overwhelming amount of gratitude for those who selflessly give everything, including their lives, for their fellow citizens and our country. 

“Remember the hours after September 11th when we came together as one to answer the attack against our homeland. We drew strength when our firefighters ran upstairs and risked their lives so that others might live; when rescuers rushed into smoke and fire at the Pentagon; when the men and women of Flight 93 sacrificed themselves to save our nation’s Capitol; when flags were hanging from front porches all across America, and strangers became friends. It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us.” -Kerry

Proud to be an American

yesterday, I met my family in SLC and we drove to the cemetery where my sweet GG (great grandma) and Grandpa Wally are buried. we went to see them and a few other family members' graves. while talking, we could see numerous flags flying in a beautiful formation, in the distance.

as we got closer, we saw the sign: "Flags of Honor" and a small description. 

Since 9-11, over 40 soldiers from Utah have died in the War on Terror. each of the 40 flags was individually personalized with a plaque engraven with a soldier's name, photograph, and a small biography. it was so humbling to walk through the rows of flags, reading the plaques. 

I started getting emotional thinking about the families, loved ones, and lives they left behind.

the only sound I could hear was that of the flags whipping back and forth in the wind. 

as we were about to leave, I noticed a picture of a soldier beaming from ear to ear. as I read on, I discovered that this young man was known as the "Candy Doctor." he would keep handfuls of candy in his pockets to share with the children. he died in an explosion "giving aid to another"

on May 14th, 2013. that was TWO WEEKS AGO! i was trying to think what i was doing on May 14th. Umm...I woke up and went on a beautiful morning run with my friend, went to school, had dinner & a movie night with Cars... yet, somewhere across the world, a selfless young man about my same age, sacrificed his entire life so that I could be standing in that spot, on American soil, in the land of the free. 

May we all take an extra moment tomorrow to remember the lives of the men and women who died to defend our country and protect our freedoms. 

I am proud to be an American.

***

a friend of mine showed this to me today: "Those who have been deprived of the association of their loved ones, need no day of special reminder. For them every day brings its own reminder. And to you for whom Memorial Day is a day of deep personal loss and of fresh sorrow: may He who gave us life give also to your troubled hearts His assurance of the reality that life is eternal, and that there is no one from whom we have parted here whom we may not know and cherish and live with yet again." Richard L. Evans