Wes is the youngest of five brilliant, beautiful, tremendously talented Truman siblings.
As his wife, I know that he lived in constant awe of his three older brothers and sister and, in typical youngest sibling fashion, always worried a little about "fitting in," and "measuring up."
So I think it must have been especially humbling for him to hear the love and unreserved praise overflowing in his brother Mike's opening funeral remarks.
Beginning with 2 Nephi 31:20:
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
And citing everything from Wes's impressive ability to lift himself from a cross legged sitting position into a full handstand, to his diligent mission preparation (which included memorizing all the chapter headings in the Book of Mormon), to his absolutely uncomplaining endurance of brain cancer's brutality, Mike's compilation of sibling memories portrayed Wes (accurately!), as someone who exemplified "pressing forward" - physically, mentally, and spiritually - with love of God and all men.
Certainly, Wes must have been grateful for that tribute from the siblings he so much admired and wanted to be like.
But I think the thing he must be most grateful for - what I feel he is unspeakably grateful for - is the way his four siblings and their families have blessed me and our children in these months following his death. In countless, unrelatable ways.
I think that has, perhaps, been the greatest tribute these brothers and sister have paid to their youngest and much loved brother.
I thought (through tears) of their overwhelming, living tribute the other day when I was listening to a song depicting Hyrum Smith's love for his younger brother, the prophet Joseph.
Into a building of sand, stone and steel
With faith like a rock you walked in
And at the end yours eyes looked into mine
With the love of a life-long friend
And, brother, I'll follow you
Rain or shine...fire and ice
With faith like iron
You walked right on through
And brother I'll follow you
With faith like a rock you walked in
And at the end yours eyes looked into mine
With the love of a life-long friend
And, brother, I'll follow you
The words seemed a fitting description of the love and unity I've witnessed in Wes's family - throughout our marriage, and especially this past year.
Rain or shine...fire and ice
With faith like iron
You walked right on through
And brother I'll follow you
3 comments:
I am so grateful to see this beautiful tribute to the Truman Family. I concur with every word and feeling presented.
Some people simply become better,stronger, more refined, and sterling as the firery darts of adversity whiz by.
Lori saw those qualities in the Truman family early on....before knowing how they would bless her life.
In deepest gratitude, the Packer Family acknowledges their intrinsic worth and goodness!
They indeed are a beautiful family. I hope I can raise my children the way that the Trumans and the Packers raised theirs.
Ditto Heather. I hope I can raise my boys to be like the families you belong to! And I"m so glad that your inlaws have cared for you so well especially over the past year.
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