Another Great Loss

Last weekend we had another tragic loss in our family. My uncle Eric ended his life; he was only 39. It came as a big shock to me, of course, and I had a really hard time dealing with and accepting this loss. All the other people I have known to pass away were either really old or sick. But not Eric. He was in great shape and very young. As I went up to the funeral, I prayed and prayed to gain the knowledge and peace I had been looking for. And I found it, in my Grandpa.

My Grandpa is a very smart man. He, almost immediatly, found peace with what happened. He has been a strong rock to our family during this difficult time. He told me that Heavenly Father has a place for all of his children. He never forgets them and He knows them, inside and out. Heavenly Father knows what kind of a man my uncle was and the good intentions he had. He knows that Eric struggled with alot of things he couldn't control. He also has a plan for each of his children, that I know more than anything.

I know without a doubt that he is with his loved ones, my Grandma and his big sister he never met on Earth. I know that he is being taught and I hope that he accepts it. I have a feeling he will. I know that if I live worthy in this life, I will have the opportunity to at least see him again.

I will always remember when my quiet and reserved uncle burst into song on the way to the airport singing 'Knowing me, Knowing you' by ABBA. And how safe I felt when he took me on a motorcycle ride; he was so proud of that bike! He was such a great uncle and I will love him forever. I'll miss you, Uncle Eric!

iTri....Literally

I guess I should make a post about the triathalon, since its been a week. I have to say that I've had mixed feelings about how I did. Don't get me wrong or anything, I had fun. Really... I had fun swimming till I was out of breath, biking till my legs felt like they would fall off and running almost until the point of heat exhaustion. Its amazing what the human body can do. I hope that 30, 40 even 50 years down the line, I can keep my body healthy so I can accomplish something just as great. I'd recommend competing in a triathalon to anyone.

Mentally, I think I could have done better. I knew going into the race that I wouldn't come anywhere near to first place. Once I got there, everyone was so pumped and ready to go. They all had so much energy. I felt like I just wanted to get this thing over with. I had no energy, no matter how much I tried. Not a good attitude. I think I would have done alot better if I had the same excited, or dare I say, giddy attitude that everyone else did. When we were all done, I didn't want to talk to anyone or be around anyone because I was so mentally drained from, well, myself.

But....I FINISHED the race. That's what matters. I didn't do horrible and I didn't finish last. It's a great accomplishment to say that you've done a triathalon. And now I can check that off my 'Life's To-Do List.' Well, I really don't have one of those, but if I did, that would have been on it!

I do want to give a special shout out to my wonderful hubby, Kirk. He is so supportive of everything I do. I don't think I could have done this without him. He ran with me the whole time. He was SO great!

Anyways, here's some highlight pictures of race day.
Getting ready to start swimming

Transitioning to the bike

Dana and I running to the finish line

This is my favorite picture...Me DONE!

Most of the people who competed

We'll Love You Forever, Grandpa!

Last week, Kirk's Grandpa Spencer passed away. He suffered much in the last couple years of his life so while its sad for us that he's gone, its comforting to know he's no longer in pain.

During our time in Utah surrounded by family and friends, I got to learn alot more about this amazing man. Having only been in the family for 5 years, (most of which he was in and out of the hospital) I didn't know him all that well. I now know that he was a jokster. He loved teasing and playing practical jokes on everyone. One cousin recalled a story about how while she was in the bathroom he changed her milk to buttermilk and laughed so hard when she came back and tasted it! He also loved clocks. I think Grandma said there were about 20 some-odd clocks in their house, alot of which were coo-coo clocks. Grandpa also liked to play games. His favorite, and the one he's most famous for playing is Greed. Grandpa's kids each threw in a die with the casket, in memory.

I'm grateful to know that we will see him again. I feel so blessed to be a part of the Spencer family. And also that they treat me as if I've been with them for eons. Heavenly Father does have a plan for each of us. He knows when we've finished our work here on earth and when we are needed more on the other side.

Here are a few pictures of our time together with family and friends as we celebrated the life of Norman Darwin Spencer. We love you, Grandpa!