Richard arrived back here on Monday evening after a long and tiring week. It is always difficult to say good-bye to a loved one, but it is intensified when the departed is a daughter, brought down before her time. But so many blessings accompany even deep sadness. And his week was filled with them. Grieving is driven by love and that love was demonstrated over and over again as the family gathered together, friends paused to pay tribute, and heaven orchestrated the timing.
He arrived in SLC before she passed away and had some very tender and meaningful time with her. Her death followed and the funeral was taken care of all within the week he had to be home.
Added to the sorrow and blessing was the passing of his brother, whose funeral was being held while he sat in the hospital holding the hand of his dying daughter. But even that was a blessing as he was able to see their family and share their grief.
He came home with a complete sense of peaceful closure that comes from the spirit. I don't know who was happier to have him home, me or the missionaries, but we all rejoiced and he is now back in the saddle tending to the needs here and moving this work forward.
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