Uncle Brent's Funeral

We found out about 6 months ago that my Uncle Brent had cancer. The doctors were pretty optimistic, and he had some good times and bad, but a week ago he passed away. Initially it was really hard for me to deal with knowing he would pass away soon. I knew he would be in a better place. My uncle was always a really good man, with a really good heart. But, never before in my life, had I faced an early death for someone that I really cared about. It was something that was difficult for me to come to terms with. About a month before he passed, my mom received word that he wasn't doing very well and could pass away at any time. Last minute, my neighbors took my kids, and Logan and I drove down to Utah to see him. It was exactly what I needed. The spirit was strong in that room and there was so much love and patience and understanding. Despite the difficult circumstances, my uncle was himself. He made jokes and talked as best he could. It was a really powerful moment in my life, that I will never forget. I knew that the Lord was aware of every single person in that room, and I knew that he loved them. I'm grateful that I was able to be there and experience it. As I said before, a few weeks later, he passed away. His funeral was also a very powerful day. There were so many people there; so many people that had been touched and uplifted by him. The service was amazing. He had been a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and so 100 members of the choir came and sang at it. It was so powerful, and so amazing. His siblings spoke about all of the amazing times they had with him. The service was over two hours long, and worth every minute. My children were very well behaved and I am so grateful for that. The entire experience, for me, was full of tender mercies, and reminders that the Lord is there, always.

*Abby bonded with my cousin Karyn, after she found out she's a ballerina*

*The cousins had a good time together. I love sweet moments like this.*

*Trouble!*

*My uncle was buried in the same cemetery as my Grandma and Grandpa Cutler*

*My uncle was a big jokester so when he was asked about his funeral he said there should be a nice cake, a vegetable tray, and the cheetos are a whole other joke.*