Disheartening

I'm not going to lie. This has been a very rough December for our family. At the beginning of the month my brother Darren ended up in the hospital in an alcohol induced coma. Our whole life got turned upside down as we have been dealing with Darren. Since the kids couldn't stay at their apartment alone, and it was questionable if Darren was capable of taking care of his kids after he was home from the hospital, Hannah stayed at our house for a few weeks. It seemed like everyday was a new challenge, a locked door, a struggle to be happy. Darren is out of the hospital now, but unfortunately he has not changed, nor taken accountability for his actions. It is disheartening to realize he will probably be in the same situation again in a matter of time.

Hannah stayed with us for about 3 weeks and just a few days before Christmas she decided to go stay with her dad. Tyler and I felt heartbroken as she walked out the door because we knew she would not  be back to say with us and all of her goals she expressed to us for her future probably wouldn't be accomplished. I truly hope Darren can turn his life around, and Hannah will graduate early from high school and accomplish all her goals, and that our family will not be in this situation again with DCFS, but only time will tell. In the meantime I will strive to find joy in life and realize how many blessings our little family of 5 has been given.

Unfortunately, our hearts were broken again when we got a phone call letting us know that my cousin Andrew's wife Mary had suffered a brain aneurysm and ultimately passed away on December 17.  Mary and Andrew had one of those marriages that people admired; I know I did. They were so perfect together and had such a cute family. I didn't know Mary all that well, but she was the most genuine person and really seemed interested in what you had to say; she made you feel important when you talked to her. Mary leaves behind Andrew, a 4 year old, 2 year old, and a 8 week old, just a few days before Christmas. My mind just cannot comprehend it and my heart breaks for their family.

I truly admire Andrew's strength during all of this. I copied his Facebook posts because he has such a meaningful way of understanding this tragedy.

Mary's funeral was one of the saddest and best funerals I have ever attended. She had so many people there to support her and her family, and the spirit was strong throughout. I left her funeral, surprisingly, feeling uplifted and wanting to be more like her. She truly emulated Christ in all aspects of her life and she made people around her feel special. That's the kind of person I want to be and the person I will strive to be more like this coming year. 

I don't know why some people leave this earth and their families behind when they still have so much to give and so much good to offer the world. And why others who wreck havoc on their lives and affect others' lives seem to go on untouched, but I do know that Heavenly Father knows more than I do and he has a plan for all of us. I am grateful for the knowledge I have of the gospel and the plan of salvation. I know we will be reunited with our families again someday. I have a wonderful husband, three adorable and crazy kids, and a whole lot to be grateful for. Mary's death reinforced to me how grateful I am for the simple things in life and how I need to cherish each day and have no regrets because you never know when your life could be turned upside down.