Farewell Cousin, Brother, Friend.

Life can change in an instant. 

We could be here one minute and gone in the next.

Last weekend we mourned the sudden loss of a dear cousin and

I found myself thinking about my relationship with him.  I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I had to reconnect with him during our family reunion meetings and in our ward. Whenever we would meet, cousin Francis always had a way of making me feel like I mattered not only to him, but to our extended family. He knew how to make you want to dig deeper inside and try harder to be vigilant about keeping our family traditions going (specifically our family reunions). I'm so grateful for his examples and for his love. He taught me a lot and I hope I can remember those things through out my life.

"Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night

Like a sunset
Dying with the rising of the moon
Gone too soon"

Rest in peace Francis. I love you brother!

The young men pictured here all earned their Eagle Scouts - the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program - with the help of Francis. He was their mentor and young men leader.  One of them paid tribute to Francis by placing his merit badge sash on his coffin - that was really something special to witness.