Nine Years

Nine years ago today my dad passed away. It was spring break and for vacation we stayed at some random hotel that was close to downtown Indianapolis so that my mom could be near my dad and us. We had just gone swimming when my mom got the call from the hospital and then we all sat on the bed and cried. I think the saddest part of it was hearing my brother Daniel cry. Poor guy was only seven.

Some of you may wonder how my dad died. In June of 2000, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was treated, went into remission, and then a while later it came back in his spinal fluid. For this, he had to get a bone marrow transplant. So he did, thanks to my Uncle Chris, and then he just had to wait to recover. It was a hard time for him, and in February of 2002, he was taken to the hospital because he was turning blue, which as we found out was because he had a fungal infection in his lungs. He was in the hospital all of February and March, and at the beginning of April, the doctor told us that the fungal infection moved to his brain and no one had ever lived from that. So, a few days later, he passed away. We had a funeral in Indiana and then one in Orem, UT where is buried.

It's crazy that it's been nine years since he died. I'm nervous for year twelve in 2014, because that means that I've been alive longer without my dad than with. My poor brothers have already hit that mark or are hitting it this year. It's still sad to think of this in detail, but I can't tell you what good things came from it. I gained a huge testimony on prayer, priesthood blessings, and the fact that families sealed in the temple are forever and will see each other again. It's a comforting thought, and I know it's true. We moved to Utah because of it and I made some great friends in high school that I hope to visit often, even when we're old and gray. I definitely feel like the move helped me come out of my shell and gain the friendly personality I have. I can't tell you how many papers I had to write about "a trying experience in your life" or a "time when you lost a loved one" or "a time that helped you grow." Ha ha, but seriously, I learned a lot about myself, my mother, my family, and my Heavenly Father through this experience, and while I would love to still have my dad here with my on earth, I know that it was for so many good reasons that he went back to our Father in Heaven. Those who knew my dad knew it was his time, he was such a great man, and God needed his help in Heaven. We needed to learn things from that experience. Now that I have had a loved one die, I can comfort a lot of people who lose their own loved ones, and I am grateful for that.

Well, I didn't expect to cry today, but I wanted to share that with everyone. I think it's extremely important to share my testimony that families can be together forever, because I know that is true.

Have a great day! I love you, Dad!

(Stephen Wesley Morgan, 1961-2002)