Trial and Tribulation...

I'm not quite sure how to start a post like this. Again, I am at a loss of words.

Thursday February 10th, 2011 Jackie Nester made her way back to our Heavenly Father.

For those of you that don't know who this pretty lady is, she is Jarrod's mom. She was a young 55 years old when she passed and was in good health. As you can imagine, this has been such a shock for all of us, especially her family and close friends. I would like to say that although I didn't know her like others, the little that I did know was great. When we were married and had Ridge she showed us nothing but support. Most of all, she was Jarrod's mother so how could we not love her? She raised such a wonderful man who is a great husband to my sister and a more than wonderful father to my beautiful nieces. I can't imagine the heartache that Jarrod is going through during this difficult time but I want him to know how much I love him and how much I appreciate his love and support. I am so proud of the way he is handling this trial in his life. We love you Jarrod and are going to be your side now, and forever.

The Friday after we lost Jackie we also received a phone call from my Aunt Carma in Idaho. Her husband Jeff has been fighting cancer since 2008 (I believe) and Friday she called to tell us his fight was coming to an end. Unfortunately, the ugly thing we call cancer was taking his life. The moment we heard the news we knew we had to be there with the family. My mom and I hit the road Saturday morning and arrived to Burley around 12:45. I should first tell you that I've never seen cancer first hand, I've never seen the disease that far along in the process. Let me tell you, that is something that I hope to never see again. Unfortunately, growing up in Utah made it a little difficult to have a real close relationship with my dad's family so I didn't know him all that well but what I did know, was not lying in that bed. The Uncle Jeff that I knew was loud, and funny, and his laugh was unforgetable!

I'd like to tell my Aunt Carma and her girls how much I love them and how much I look up to them for their strength. They are going through something right now that is not fair. It is not fair that they have to sit in that hospital room and watch their father lose his life to cancer. He is only 47 years old, he had so much more to give, so much more to teach. I know that the future is going to be tough for this family and I want them to know that we are here for them all along the way. I really do believe that everything happens for a reason and that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. It has to.

We will miss you Uncle Jeff...