Dad's gone ker-plooey

On the morning of Thurday, November 4th, 2010 I had just arrived at work when the phone rang. I was surprised to hear Matt's voice [He normally slept in as late as possible.]; he seemed to be at a loss for words as he told me "Dad's gone ker-plooey". The hospital had called Kathryn and informed her of the "code blue". By the time the kids and I got there twenty minutes later, Brent's spirit had passed on into the next realm. With his eyes closed, he looked peaceful, with a smile on his face. A big blood clot in his left lung had traveled to his heart and quickly ended his earthly life. His bishop was there with Lynn, very supportive, and we stayed for a while, trying to comprehend the situation and work through various strong emotions ranging from disbelief to anger to sadness to gratitude for the fact that he went quickly, with the comfort of a priesthood blessing he had received before he passed away.

The next few days were busy ones, as we prepared for the funeral. Brent was buried in the Bountiful City Cemetery next to his stepson David Barker, who had died six years earlier. All of his brothers and his sister Beth and her husband were able to come, and we spent a few hours together. This time was truly a gift, as it helped mend some broken relationships within the family. Matt and his stepbrother Caleb put together a beautiful tribute to Brent, with pictures from his life set to the sound of Neil Diamond's "Hello again, Hello". We played the DVD outside the chapel, where we had set up a table with memorabilia, and gave each family member a copy to keep. Caleb, Annie, and I told stories about Brent, and his home teacher added the spiritual touch with a message about the Plan of Salvation and the resurrection. Caleb and I sang one of Brent's favorite hymns : "A poor, wayfaring man of grief", and a friend, Suzanne Stott, played a piano rendition of "hello, again, hello." The Air Force provided a touching flag ceremony, and Brent's brother, Father Bernard Johnson, dedicated the grave. I think Brent was happy with his funeral, if he had time to listen in. Although he is deeply missed here on earth, I think Brent is busy in the Spirit World, and, free from physical limitations, can now find the answers that had eluded him previously, as he serves and works there.