Monday, October 12, 2009
jacob park
About two weeks ago, a boy named Jacob Park, was riding his bike in an intersection near our home when he was struck by an SUV. The whole thing was a complete accident. Jacob received many life-threatening injuries and was life-flighted to Primary Children's Medical Center. Jared is acquainted with Jacob as they are the same age and have attended the same school and classes for years. A week ago, his family made the difficult decision to take him off life support. He died shortly thereafter and was able to donate all of his organs. On Saturday, Jared & I attended his funeral at our stake center. The photo on the funeral program was fantastic, it truly captured the light in his eyes and his joyous & happy personality. He was an outgoing kid who made friends everywhere he went. He had 2 speeds in life -- 100 mph or asleep. And he loved all things relating to water -- especially the beach. His parents gave the life sketch in which they shared some wonderful & humorous memories along with their strong testimonies of the plan of salvation. The spirit was especially strong throughout the funeral, leaving no doubt that Heavenly Father is in charge and that families can be reunited and live together eternally someday. One thing I found particularly touching was that when he was about 6 or 7 his older brother developed horrible rheumatoid arthritis and spent much of his time in bed or in a wheelchair. The family had to do everything for him -- feed, clothe, bathe, etc. Jacob's job was to put socks and shoes on his brother everyday. He rarely complained about having to do this. Jacob also loved wheeling him around, popping wheely's and letting the wheelchair go top speed down paved paths, such as those in Zion's park, to the delight of both boys and horror to the parents, of course! Apparently this brother has recoved much of his mobility again throughout the recent years. As the family was discussing what to dress Jacob in for the burial and who would dress him, this brother specifically asked if he could be the one to put on Jacob's socks and shoes. Tender moment. I'm glad we went to the funeral so that we could celebrate and remember Jacob's life.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
It's entirely too sad when life is cut short too early! There's way too much of it going around, too. Having just moved from down yonder, we are well aquainted with many of the band members and their families affected in the horrible accident on Saturday. We didn't know the teacher, but we know a lot of the kids and their families who were effected. Even when there's a lot of peace involved, it still bites, and bites hard. Glad you were able to say goodbye, though. Makes you want to go home and hug your kids all the tighter, though, doesn't it?
Thanks for sharing this Shara. Recently a family in our ward found out their 2 year old daughter has leukemia. It feels wierd to say it but it has been a blessing to everybody, the family included. She bore her testimony Sunday and expressed feelings that she would not want this trial to be taken away...whatever the outcome. The things they have learned and the extreme love the have felt from Heavenly Father have given them so much strength.
I hope this family can feel this kind of strength the help them through this horrible time. The gospel will bring peace....and it sounds as though they are finding tender mercies along the way.
Thanks, Shara.
Post a Comment