My Mortality

This week I went the funeral services for Travis Poll. It was one of those funerals that should have never taken place. He was 36 years old and a loving husband with 4 young children. He battled with cancer for 2 1/2 years. He and his wife Mandy are the example of how trials should be handled. I have no idea what occured behind their closed doors, but knowing them it was the same inside and outside the home. They both handled the trial of cancer with strength, patience, and faith. I have never been so inspired by someone as I have been by Mandy and Travis Poll.
Because of the situation I could not help but put myslef in their shoes and try to imagine how I would handle this situation. I love Ryan so much and the thought of losing him is hard to imagine without crying. I love my family. My children would be the hardest to leave. Even knowing that I would be with them again and that death is not the end, I would hate to be apart from them.
During the funeral, Bishop Stanger, who was conducting, talked about one of the visits he had with Travis before he died. It was a week or two before his death, and Travis asked the Bishop, "How do you prepare to die?" The Bishop then said that he told Travis, "The same way you prepare to live." I thought it was so profound. Even though it was something I already knew, I needed to hear it again. From the day we are born we are preparing to die. Everything we do in this life prepares us for death and everything we do in this life prepares us for the life we will live after death. It was a good reminder to make the most of everyday and be the best we can be today. This life is so fragile, at any moment it can be taken away from us. I was grateful to have heard this reminder and I am so grateful I got to know Travis. He was an amazing person.
If you would like to read more about Mandy and Travis her blog is http://wonderingsofawannabe.blogspot.com/