Finding Joy in the Journey: Unexpected visit to Idaho

I received an unexpected call from my dad around 8:15 Sunday morning. My dad doesn't call often and he never calls at that time of day especially since it is an hour earlier where he lives and he is busy with meetings and what not on Sunday morning. I saw who it was before I answered and instantly thought, "Oh no, my grandpa died." Well, I was wrong. My grandpa is well over 90 now and I'm glad he is still alive, however, sadly my dad did call to tell me that one of my cousins, Ian, had died. Ian was just a couple of months younger than my brother, Eric- not yet 30 years old. He had a beautiful wife and two adorable girls. Sad and tragic. After I got off the phone with my dad I sat on my bed and cried. I wish he had called before I had put my make up on for church. I was not close to Ian. Most of my memories of him, he was a young boy. I remember him and Eric hanging out plenty in their younger years, but when we moved to Washington we didn't get down to Idaho to see my cousins nearly so often and therefore I am not close to any of them. However, I still have a great love for all of them. My heart also ached and continues to ache for his family, those who knew him so well and loved him so much. My heart goes out to his wife and little girls who are so young, my heart is sad for his mother especially, but also his father, and siblings. I can't imagine having to go through the death of a spouse, a child, a sibling. It seems like too much to bear. I made arrangements to go to Ian's funeral in Preston, Idaho with Holly and Glen. That's what family does, right? Support one another in happy and sad times. I took pictures with my family members. The thought of losing someone I love so close to my heart. It was a hard funeral to attend. That evening we had dinner at Big J's in Preston in memory of Ian (he had worked there for years) It is a good reminder that life is fragile. I don't know the whys of Ian's death, but it does help me remember that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and that he loves us. I hope everyone remembers how much they are loved even when they feel alone and helpless.

My immediate family members that were able to attend the funeral (Ian's picture is in the background). I am glad my dad was able to come down. He and Ian's dad, Dauntes were really close growing up.