Offering Support

I don't even know what to call this post.

I had an interesting afternoon. I attended the funeral of a nineteen year old who died on Thursday. He used to be my fifth grader. And his brother was my fifth grader before that.

Pretty much every parent pours everything they have into their children. Trouble is, children grow older and make more of their own choices. Trouble is, there are a lot of unsavory things from which to choose. This battle involved drugs.

I don't know all the details but I feel for his family. They are strong. They are surrounded by many others. I didn't know what else to do besides attend the funeral.

Seven of his Young Men's leaders sang a beautiful hymn together. I'm sure they stood up for him many a time and there they were, once again offering any support, any scaffolding they possibly could. Still in his cheering section. The music was soothing. The stories were great. And funny. For some reason I remember his essay about the recipe he put into our class cookbook.

His bishop spoke of visiting him at a treatment center. Hunter requested a priesthood blessing. Time was short. The bishop said there was an overwhelming witness of the LOVE that our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ have for Hunter, and for all of us. It's true.

I sat by Chuck Brown. She, along with Hunter's mom, used to teach at my school.

Such a beautiful service. Such a beautiful boy!

And then I went to the temple. It's my tradition after attending students' funerals.