Today is Geoffrey's Birthday. He would have been 29. I've done a lot of reflecting the past week in anticipation of this day. I didn't know how I would feel or what I could possibly do on this day. I know I will shed a few tears for him. Then, I decided to me, this day would be a celebration of his life. Geoff loved brownies and mint chocolate chip ice cream so, I must have some of that! His favorite books to read were anything Calvin and Hobbs. In fact, when we received his foot lockers back from Iraq there were worn out copies of Calvin and Hobbs and a worn out copy of the Book of Mormon. So, I will have to read a little of both. I will visit his grave today to leave some flowers. I will watch his favorite movie The Princess Bride because it will make me laugh. I will do something good for someone else because of all the good he did for so many. And maybe at the end of this day I will feel I have had a little part of him with me. In thinking about this, he really had little parts of all of us in him. From Paige he learned compassion. He would listen and respond to her when others couldn't get through. From Cole he learned his playfulness. They would wrestle across any floor as I'm yelling, "Don't break anything!". They continued to do this up until the last time I saw him. From Alex he got his protective quality. I can never remember a time when he teased Alex. He was always watching out for her. From Amy he got his small little giggle because she made him happier than anyone else could have. From Jim he got his half smile and fearlessness because of his respect for his father. And from me, he got his quirkiness. Need I say more? But, most importantly, he learned how to be the best husband and father from the family he loved so much! When I heard he had passed away all I desired was to put my arms around him one more time. Nothing else mattered in this life. It was at that moment I realized I could put my arms around him again because of the Savior's atoning sacrifice for us. I then knew why it was so important to the Savior to lay down his life for us. I realized how much the Savior loves us no matter who we are or what we believe. He loves us and because of that love we have the opportunity to embrace our own again. So on this day, the day of my sons' birthday, I am going to have hope and that hope is going to be in my Savior,Jesus Christ.
