My heart is aching... Dear David

I ache today. My heart if fragile. My body hurts from exhaustion. I thought I was having a hard time this week and then all my problems became trivial in a moment. Just when I think my body is out of tears, it somehow produces more. And then I quickly remember these wonderful people and can't imagine how they are doing.
The World lost a spiritual giant today and Heaven received one of its finest. One of my favorite people in this world, and closest cousins, passed away an hour ago.

I got an email yesterday morning from my Aunt Pam telling all of my wonderful Bodell Cousins that our beloved David had been hit by a truck while driving his Kia to work. He had stopped at a green light to let a deer pass and the truck did not see him or the deer apparently.

For those of you that never had the opportunity to meet David in this life, let me tell you... You missed out! David is one of the pure in heart that you read about in the scriptures. One that could not help but help others. One that made you laugh by his laugh... not a belly laugh a simple laugh that made you see humor in anything. One that knew what it meant to be a true friend, brother, cousin, grandson, and son.

Please someone tell me, is this Halloween? He always had a good wig though!
I'll never forget the nasty one he wore in #1 Northfork!

I find myself wishing I would have gone to see his beautiful new home when I was there in July. Or wished that I would have stayed up late that one more hour to play games with him. Or wishing I would have told him how amazing I thought he was and how much I looked up to him as my cousin just to make sure he knew. He was the leader of our age cousin pack. He was always the one to bring us together as cousins instead of siblings from different families. Whether it was for a game night, a night hike, or to cast us in his latest play/movie... he knew what it meant to be an example and a cousin and how to get us all feeling as one.
I am SO grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel that I KNOW that I will see David again. I know that he is happy and with our Father in Heaven. I look forward to the day to have game nights with him in the next life. If they have Risk and Monopoly- I know we will be set!

For now, I want to let his two little sweet children how crazy he was about them.
When we lived with Dave and Cris at Jimae and Bruce's for a bit back in 2009 we would see how David lit up when he got home to get on the floor and tickle and wrestle with Joshee and Jaz. Oh how he loves you both!
He was an AMAZING father and loved you both SO SO SO VERY MUCH! He beamed with pride and laughter at watching you grow.

And now to my sweet prima Cris.... Oh dear Cris, how we love you! It is AMAZING for me to think HOW MUCH you have grown in the past 8 years since you came into our lives! Of course there is the language, but that is BARELY the tip of the iceberg! You have become a strong and amazing mother, wife, and woman! I love those pictures of you on facebook doing the mud run! I remember when you used to scoff at the IDEA that David suggested you go running! Again, just the tip of the ice berg! I am so proud of the woman you have become and I know that David is SO proud of you! You are STRONG! You are a wonderful mother and those little kids are lucky to have you. David loved you so much. You could see it in all you two did. It was evident that you were his eternal sweetheart. He is proud of you and so is your Father in Heaven. I cannot imagine how hard the months ahead are going to be... please know that we love you, your Bodell family loves you, your Father in Heaven loves you, and David will Always love you and we are ALL here for you!
Just when I thought I had found my composure this morning and I had to be out of tears, I found myself breaking down in tears every time my sweet husband put his arms around me or kissed me. I found myself at a loss of breath with every cute thing he did with our children. And again aching when my kids would do something that made me smile. Cris I KNOW he will be there with you to see all of these things even though it might not feel like it. I know David, and he would not miss it!

To Jimae, Bruce, and all Kenney kids- we love you and are all aching for you! He was an example to all of us and we look forward to seeing him again someday. Thank you David for being my cousin, my friend. I am SOOOO glad Heavenly Father sent me to your family to live!
Tonight I held my babies a little longer, my husband kissed me goodbye a little better, and I prayed a little harder. Once again, my cousin David helped me see life and the Gospel a little clearer. Thank you David for your many examples to me! I love you!