Posts: 18511
From: Acworth,GA,USA
Registered: JUL 2000

posted 01-14-2003 03:36 PM         

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As you know we recently returned from Utah where we attended Brian's funeral. Linda and I again want to express our deep heart felt gratitude to all of our POA family for your thoughts, prayers and kind words. As part of this appreciation I wanted to share the following with you.

Brian was a true bronco bull riding cowboy. He and our Daughter Christie live in small town of approx 3500 people. The viewing at the Moturary was supposed to be from 6:00 to 8:00PM. At 5:30 the line had already spilled down the long hall and out the door into the parking lot. It was continuous and did not end until approx 9:45. There was also a viewing at the church the following day and again the line seemed to never end. They finally had to close the doors so the family could have a prayer, and say thier last goodbye to Brian and move to the service in the chapel. The stake center (church) chapel was packed for the service. We guess that over 1000 people either attended the viewing and or the service. The service was the most amazing we have ever attended. This is but a small, yet very siginifcant part. The bishop related a story which within the context of his talk applied to Brian, but as you will also soon read , became something truely amazing. The story (short version) was of a farmer who found a baby Eagle which had fallen from its nest. The farmer could not find the parents so he took the Eagle home and raised it with his chickens. Hence the Eagle grew up thinking it was a chicken and even though had an 18ft wing span had never flown. One day a naturalist spotted the Eagle and convinced the farmer to allow him to convince the Eagle he was not a chicken and fly. He tried many things to convince the Eagle of what it was, and to fly. Lastly he took the Eagle to the top of the highest mountain, placed the Eagle on his arm and said "Eagle thou art an Eagle, spread you mighty wings and soar", which the Eagle finally did. It was also mentioned that during the service that Brian was and advid snow mobil rider.
When we got to the grave site which was on and hill top facing an mountain side with a fresh pristine snow fall on it. Someone with a snow mobile had written Brians initials in the snow. Just as the Bishop was bringing this to everyones attention a Bald Eagle flew over from somewhere atop the mountains peak. It is an amazing moment we will never ever forget. I am sure it was telling us Brian had spread his mighty wings and soared.

Posts: 2728
From: Piru, CA, USA
Registered: MAR 2001

posted 01-14-2003 03:45 PM         

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Rich - thank you for sharing this with us. The story is a great parable of our lives. We are so much more than we realize!

Good time for reflection

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Registered: DEC 2000

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