Each Life That Touches Ours For Good....

" On the other side of the veil, there are perhaps seventy billion people. They need the same gospel, and releases occur here to aid the Lord's work there. Each release of a righteous individual from this life is also a call to new labors. Those who have true hope understand this. Therefore, though we miss the departed righteous so much here, hundreds feel their reach there. One day, those hundreds will thank the bereaved for gracefully forgoing the extended association with choice individuals here, in order that they could help hundreds there. In Gods ecology, talent and love are never wasted. The hopeful understand this, too."

-Neal A. Maxwell-

This quote was a tender mercy given to my Mother the morning of Alain's funeral. She found it lying on the top of Alain's drawer. This quote has truly entered my heart and given me hope and strength.

The cries of agony coming from my sweet little girls still ring in my ears. People leave this existence from every walk of life, in every circumstance imaginable, every minute of the day. We see it in movies, hear it on the news, even bury a grandparent. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the words my mom so reverently spoke to me over the phone that night. I had to keep telling my self that if it were not true that he would come home. He never did.

Alain was more then just a step-dad to me, he was something far more. He loved me as a daughter, spoke with me like a friend, and treated me as a daughter of God. He blessed my life in every way imaginable. Alain worked on his love and compassion for others. He worked to build his relationship with my Mom and his children. He worked to exemplify our Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ. He worked on the house, the cars, building and creating things for others, and so much more.

When our girls were saying goodbye to Alain for the last time, they both wanted to reach down and touch his hand. Paige later told us that when she touched Alain's hand that she heard his voice. I will long for that gentle voice telling me how proud he is of me and that he loves me. I will draw strength from his life and his example. I know that one day I will be with Alain again. I love you Alain!

Alain was honored not only in life but in death. The bagpipes played Amazing Grace as they carried his body out of the church. It was the most beautiful music I had ever heard. As his casket was gently carried, Alain's colleagues and several other law enforcement officials rendered a salute. He was further honored with a full police escort three hours away to the Paris, Idaho cemetery where he was buried.