The Legacy You Left Behind

Another year passes, another anniversary rolls by. Six years has gone by so fast and so slow, all at the same time. Life has a way of moving forward, whether we're prepared for it or not. It's crazy to think of how life has changed since you were here...six years is such a long time, and such a short time, all at once. At exactly this time, on this day, six years ago, I sat with your family and held your foot as your breathing slowly became more and more labored. Only hours before, a small flame of hope flickered in our hearts. But with the morning sun came the dousing of that flame. We all knew you weren't there with us any more. In the place of hope came sorrow and heartache. We prayed that you would just go to sleep. Every breath was painful, every minute too long. And then, in God's great mercy, you let go. It was an immense relief and a devastating loss, braided together and coiled to fill the hole that you had left behind in our hearts.

I often think about the legacy that you left behind. It is a huge, impressive legacy for someone who lived only 23 years. It was a legacy of hope, of love, of optimism, of humor, of unwavering faith. It is a lasting legacy. Life moves on, things change, we even go on to live lives that are happy and productive. I'm happily married and living the best life I could ever have imagined. Your parents are doing so much in their community, making great impacts on the lives of so many. You have several new second cousins and other kin, and the ones you left behind are growing up so quickly. You have an adorable niece who looks so much like you and your sister that it would stop you in your tracks. So your memory and your legacy remains, through all of our lives as they move forward. But it doesn't mean that we don't miss you every single day. Even today, six years later, there are songs that so vividly remind me of you that it's just too difficult to hear.

And so, this morning, I am taking a few minutes to remember you and to appreciate all that you left behind. We love you, Steve.