Before any of you read this, I just want to let you all know that my blog is just about me to express my thoughts down on the computer and let the world see. For the most part, my blog has been uplifting and has featured happy topics. This one however will bring about sad moments but keep hope in the eyes of the reader. That is my plan for this post. As you read I hope that at the end you say a prayer for anyone who is going through a loss of someone they love, or someone they might lose in the upcoming days. God works miracles every day.
Great Grandma Rewitzer, Great Grandma Berg, Grandma Rewitzer, Mikayla, Joe, Beau, Markus, Carrie, Cole, Katie, Jamie, Megan, Jordan, Kent, Cheryl, Lauren, Danielle, Luke, Annette, Dustin, Alecia
To some of you these might just be names, but for others these names carry lots of meaning and a lot of memories. Over the past few years Rogers/Saint Michael has dealt with a lot of tragedy that have left people torn, families weeping, and a community mourning their losses. The word cursed is often used when describing the community of Rogers because of how much we have went through and how many people have been lost. I am not going to be the one to say that Rogers isn't "cursed" but I also hate when that term is used because I believe that God has a plan for everyone. We may not understand why these people must leave us, but we have to be willing to realize that they are looking down on us every day and helping the community of Rogers get stronger. I can say that living in Rogers my whole life that it has to be one of the strongest communities around. When a tornado hits, people help others by cleaning up the devastation, rebuilding houses, and offering financial support. When others pass, people bring food to the families, offer services to them, help them in whatever way they can to help the family. In a way I wouldn't say that Rogers is cursed, I would say the opposite. I believe that the loss of all these individuals has brought the people of Rogers/St. Michael closer together. People help each other out whenever they can, and offer support/prayers/money all the time. Rocks are painted, benefits are held, and auctions are set up to that these families who are mourning can know how much support they have behind them.
Death is something that we are all going to experience one day in our lives. On Sunday at Easter Mass, my pastor expressed this to us, and told us that even though we are all going to die someday that we need to celebrate the life we have. 2 months ago we lost Jordan, Megan, Danielle, and Lauren. Some of you lost sisters, girlfriends, co workers, and daughters. Many of us lost close friends and for some of us we lost our bestfriends. I can honestly say that Megan was one of my bestfriends and that she helped me whenever I needed it. She was always wanting to come over and watch movies and hang out with the "Broadway Crew". Losing someone so close puts a pause on life. You instantly have thousands of thoughts go through your head and the memories of these people fly through your mind. You might go to their Facebook Wall and write something. You might call up your friends to tell them the news so that you can cry together. You might call the family to tell them you are going to be home for the next couple days because you need them at your side. For me the first thing I do when I hear of the passing of a loved one is Pray. I don't try to ever push my religious beliefs on anyone, nor will I ever put you down for what you believe in. Praying for the friends and families who have recently lost a loved one helps me to know that I have another angel looking over me and over the Community that we live in. Praying to Megan and my Grandma when I feel down helps me to know that they are still there. Days pass where I believe I could text Megan and she would answer. Deep down I know that isn't going to happen but it still helps me to know that she is still there looking down on all of us along with Jordan, Lauren, and Danielle.
So when people look and ask about the bracelets I wear every day (4 of them, and the 5th when I get a new Markus one) I tell them how I know them, and how they passed away. Some people feel bad, some people admire, and some people wish they never asked. The bracelets for me is a visual reminder that there are Angels in Heaven looking down on me every day and that I am lucky to have known such amazing people in their short time on Earth. I titled this blog post "The End of the Road, or Just the Beginning?" For me the end of your life on Earth is just the end of a chapter. For anyone who lives a good life here will go to Heaven and live eternally with our Lord. This starts the beginning of their new life that lasts way longer than anyone on Earth lives.
For anyone who has lost someone they loved, they know how hard it can be. The tears flow, the hugs come, and the memories are counted. These memories last forever and pretty soon the tears of sorrow become tears of joy, those hugs still remain but they carry different meaning. If I have learned anything about the passing of the individuals listed above I have learned to cherish life. Every day is a new day to tell someone you love them, to help out a friend, to live your life to the fullest so don't waste it, because you never know when God is calling you up to live with him. Tell the ones you love how much you care about them, don't live your life in regret, and don't be afraid to forgive. After all Jesus died on the cross for us, don't you think we should live the life he gave us in happiness?
For anyone who doesn't know yet, Joe Fricke is still in the hospital and their family continues to thank us for our support around the Rogers community. Keep the Fricke's in your prayers as you go on with your day. Thanks for reading. See you soon.
-J-
