Life.

Labor Day weekend I celebrated the life of my dear 38 year old friend Diana Bollman Brown and tomorrow I celebrate the life of my amazing 53 year old friend Coach Reece Morgan. Both of these dear souls were called to be with Jesus at such young ages and both unexpectedly.

When Diana passed, I just couldn't understand how it could be her time. She was so young with a husband, two little girls, and many years of life ahead of her. When my mom called me to tell me the news I sobbed and really didn't believe what I was hearing. Diana Facebooked me the morning of the day she passed, we were looking so forward to our 20 year class reunion. The Rowell Family enjoyed Di and the girls this summer at the county fair! As Di and I watched the kids ride the rides we visited about our youth at the county fair. We had made this a tradition over the last few years. Our roots are the one thing we would always have in common! She is missed, but I know she is working harder in heaven at protecting all of the little children that she cared for each and everyday during her short stay on earth. Bless you Di!

And now Reece has gone to be with our lord and savior. What an unbelievable man. I had the honor of supervising "Coach" for the past 3 years at the Davenport Family Y. I could write about all the children he influenced and the great husband and father, grandfather he was. But I want to share what an influence he was to my two children. When Eric and I shared with Jude and Anna that Reece had gone to be with Jesus, they immediately started crying. We had been praying for him for over a week and they both new he was ill. He absolutely loved Jude and the fact that Jude called him, "COACH." Reece was a ref. for college basketball and was often seen wearing a whistle around his neck. Both the kids took note of this, Reece appeared one day with whistles for both kids to wear around their necks. I wasn't to appreciative, a 4 year old with a whisle??? Anyway... the newness of the whistles wore off and they fell by the way side in the playroom. Oddly, Monday night Jude slept with his whistle and Coach passed on Tuesday morning at peace with his wife and pastor by his side. I believe Jude had a special place in Coach Reece's heart!

My heart has been so heavy these past few weeks. I am sad, I am happy, I laugh, I cry. It is all part of being here on earth. Living life as we know it. I wonder what it will be like when I meet my creator, I pray that I am living the life he wants me to lead. I feel blessed beyond belief that I have a personal relationship with Christ,and that Di and Coach are waiting for the day that I will be with them again. Bless you both my dear friends, and thank you for the time we shared. Eric, Anna, Jude and I are so fortunate to have the memories we do of both of you.