MY WIFE AND I were married in 1995, while still in college. I was able to get good employment.
We started having children and finished our college degrees. We purchased a small home and later when our family was growing we purchased a larger home. I decided to get an Executive MBA and finished that degree after a couple of years while continuing to work full time.
Life was busy. We never had a ton of money, but we covered the basics.
In 2012, we had five children and one on the way. Up until this point, life had been fairly steady. I had been laid off from a job once but had found employment quickly. We hadn’t really faced any serious illness or trials. That was all about to change.
In 2012, our sixth child was born three months premature and developed hydrocephalus, a condition with no current cure. He is now 10 years old and has had over 20 brain surgeries related to complications with hydrocephalus. While he has suffered the pain, we as the parents have gone through a lot of sadness and fear as we’ve waited in the hospital during the surgeries, fervently praying.
In January, my wife lost her mother. It was a great loss for the family. After 56 years of marriage, it’s been difficult for my father-in-law.
A few months ago, our dog was hit by a car. Our 13-year-old daughter found her near our home. We miss our little goofy Yorkie-poo.
A little over two weeks ago, I got a phone call that every parent fears. A Nevada Highway Patrol trooper called me and said that our 23-year-old daughter had been in a rollover accident and had not survived. It literally brought me to my knees.
My world stopped. Words cannot adequately describe the anguish, profound sorrow and agony that I felt. I was in shock. We were instructed to get there as soon as possible. We quickly packed and left within a few hours.
It was a long, tear-filled drive, which gave me time to think. There were so many things that would never happen. Could I have possibly done anything to prevent this?
Now more than two weeks later, through the help and prayers of friends and family around the world, and with divine help, we somehow have navigated through all the details of two mortuaries, transporting the body and casket, a funeral and the burial. A good friend created a GoFundMe campaign, which helped with the tremendous costs. Numerous good and generous people have helped us.
Over the past 10 years, we have experienced sorrow which at times has almost been unbearable. In some of my darkest hours, I have found myself pleading with God.
Who else can bring comfort to a wounded soul? There are no words that can comfort. There is no physician who can heal. It is by the Comforter sent by God that we can walk our lonely, miserable roads of great tribulation.
Now when I talk with a parent who has a child with a serious illness, I understand better the road they are traveling. As I look into someone’s eyes who has lost a child, I can see a little deeper into their pain and misery.
A little over 10 years ago, I personally had not experienced many trials. I am now a changed man.
Life can be pretty miserable at times. Awful things happen to good people.
There is only One who can heal our souls; He who descended beneath us all — the Prince of Peace. He who has borne our grief and carried our sorrows. Who else can promise the resurrection to everyone, including our dearly loved ones who have passed to the other side of the veil? Jesus Christ has overcome death. Our only hope is in our Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Fear not, only believe.
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Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Bishop Jason Bringhurst is the leader of the Mount Pleasant Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles. His email is jasonbring@gmail.com.
