Each life that touches ours for good.

Last Saturday, I received a phone call that I wished wasn't true.  Our Relief Society President called to say Bryce Winterbottom had been killed in a car accident.  (It turns out it was a plane crash, but initially a car crash was the info people had.)  I truly thought that it couldn't be true, and that he was really just very badly injured but would be okay.  Sadly, it was true.

Bryce was a young husband and dad.  Just 29, his ultra-light airplane stalled and crashed in a field south of town.  He married his Jr. High sweetheart, Mandy, shortly after he got home from his mission.  They lived up north while he worked at his Bachelors and then Masters degrees in Engineering.  John and I were able to attend their sealing in the Spokane Temple.  They have lived in our ward for 2 maybe 3 years.  Bryce was the Teacher's Quorum advisor, and Trevor would have been in his class in just a few weeks.  Actually, just 2 weeks ago, Trevor went on a 10 mile bike ride with the Teachers and Bryce was the leader in charge.

Mandy, his wife, is one of Ashley's good friends.  I was heartbroken to hear the news, but even more so to have to call Ashley and let her know what happened.  Due to the time difference, I had to wait until about 4 pm, and I reached her before she went to church.  Australia is too far away to come home for the funeral, but she would have come if it was possible.  Bryce was her friend also.  Brandon and I had a conversation later in the week, and I mentioned that I was sad even though I know what the Plan of Salvation is, that it is true, and that Bryce is in a better place.  He mentioned that he and Ashley have talked about that, and that there are still things like agency, that sometimes make it a bit harder to swallow.  Did the Lord really need Bryce more in heaven than Mandy needed him here to help raise their family?  He was the provider, the Priesthood leader, the dad, the husband!!  Sometimes it doesn't make sense.

All week, as I thought about his death, and the new life that Mandy will be leading as a single mom of four young children, the song, "Each Life that Touches ours for Good" ran through my head.  There is a fundraiser going on via the Internet, www.gofundme.com/brycewinterbottom.  It started 5 days ago and the goal was 10,000.00  They reached that before 2 days were up and now, 5 days later, there is over $25,000 in it, and the goal has been raised to $50,000!  Seeing the outpouring of support for Mandy and her family, confirms what I couldn't get out of my head - that Bryce had touched a lot of lives in his short lifetime.  (Not to discount Mandy at all.  She is no sloucher, and done her fair share of life-touching.)  It also confirms that when we, the friends and family are confronted with such tragedy, we don't know what to do but give the family food and money.  What else can we do at such a time??  (Today, as I was talking with Bryce's mom before the funeral, she told me that several things have happened over the past week that have let them know that it is okay, and that there is a reason.  I'm grateful they have had that confirmed to them.  What a comfort that must be as they deal with this awfully hard thing.  Maybe some day, some of the rest of us will be able to sort through and understand why it happened when it did.)

Today, after the funeral, there is no doubt in my mind that Bryce had a lot of influence for good on a lot of people!  The overflowing chapel was the first sign, but the talks that were given were the icing on the cake.
One man spoke of our grief, and how we have to cry and mourn and grieve before we can get to a place where we are okay.  He also spoke of Bryce's service to his son when he taught the son to ride a bike, and then fixed it after his mom accidentally ran over it.

Three men stood and declared that Bryce was their best friend.  They each shared remembrances of him, and the ways he touched their lives.  (I know for sure that one of those friends gained confidence in himself because of his interaction with Bryce.  I think his life would have been very different had he not know Bryce.)  I think being considered a best friend by at least 3 people is about the highest compliment anyone can garner.

Bryce's siblings took turns sharing thoughts and memories about Bryce.  Honestly, it was such a great thing to be able to laugh about the things he did.  I think everyone felt better after that.  Bryce never lacked for adventure, to be sure!!  But he also never lacked for service and love.  It was apparent that he knew what life was really all about.

An uncle shared a few experiences he and Bryce had together, and then his dad spoke.  Ed's talk was full of humor, but also the spiritual side of Bryce, and one thing in particular that happened and enriched both of their lives as a result.

So, as I said my suspicions were confirmed, Bryce had touched people and it had been for the good. No wonder I couldn't get that song out of my head.

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those we love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise they goodness, Lord, above.
(Hymns, 293)