Brian Russell

 RevaBeth, it's a bit late but i've just got to know about your loss. I'm so sorry for Brian. I still remember your sweet smile in Utah when you told me about your son and will never forget it. Big hug to you and Keith, your family. I love you and believe another world still goes on for you.

 Smiles show that were happy, tears show that we care, and no matter how far apart you are family is always there. No physical thing nor what you can see will ever depreciate the bond love brings that ties heart strings forever kept well and safe..... :)

 You have been on my mind lately, and I have truly been missing you. I have wanted to come visit you at the school, and maybe even type up something for you, for old time's sake. I decided to give your facebook page a look, just to see how you were. I was not aware of your son's passing, and I wanted to give you my deepest condolences. I truly am so sorry for your loss, and I have been grieving for you since I read your recent status. I know you have probably been bombarded with facebook messages, and people telling you how sorry they are, but I wanted to let you know how much I do care about you. You have always been a great inspiration to me, and you touched my heart. I hope and pray for comfort for you, and your family, in these hard times, and if not complete comfort just the strength to get through each day. I wish I could take the pain of this loss away from you. If you need anything, please let me know. 

I just saw the posting about Brian. I am very sorry for your loss. I remember hanging out with him as a chaperon on one of the Catalina trips and he was a great guy. You and your family are in my thoughts.

Dearest Revabeth,

I will never forget the times you spoke of your son while we were in Japan.  You were so proud of him and he had given you such joy as a parent.  I am praying that Heavenly Father will comfort you in this time of mourning.  I pray that time may help give you the strength and courage at this time.  Please remeber how much we love you and wish this pain could be taken from you.  I feel your pain and anguish at your loss.
Love, Fran

Our thoughts are with you at this most difficult time.
Your friends at Lehi High School 

We really enjoyed having Brian around.  "Workwise" he was a driven hard worker and always a pleasure to be with.  Brian will always be remembered as a happy guy that accepted anoyone and everyone for who they were.  

We love you, Brian.  You'll be sorely missed.
Love,
All your friends at Cascade

Brian was an amazing person, a great friend, and an awesome employee.  We enjoyed every minute we had with him.  He was a quiet but talented man that we will dearly miss.  We'll never forget your Brian. 

Love,
The Nichols Family

 For Revabeth, Mother

The funeral is over,
My only son is laid to rest 
And the crowds are gone.
How can they go back to living
When my tears are not yet dry?
For each time I try to escape the thought
It comes softly, then thundering
Into my mind:
I miss him already
How can I go back to living
Without him?
He made a choice without my permission
And I was not there to disrupt his decision.
My life and his                              .
Were forever changed in a moment.
The darkness of anger, frustration,
Bitterness, sadness and loneliness
Overwhelms me
And threatens my very existence. 
And yet I must not dwell in sadness
I will remember the little boy
Who came to me from far across the sea, 
The young teen who called to me,
(Not often enough)
And the man who loved his friends
And loves me still.
I will cherish each sweet moment
And even those not so sweet
(Brian, I could wring your d--- neck!)
Because they were a part of him.
Yes, the funeral is over
We have said our good byes.
Goodbyes are always hard.
But with a prayer in my heart,
Many good memories to comfort me,
And the love of my Savior,
I, too, will get back to living,
And goodbyes 'will be forgotten
In that precious moment
When we say hello again.

Love,
     Wanda

 To an Athlete Dying Young

The time you won your town the race

We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,

And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away

From fields where glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows

It withers quicker than the rose.

Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,

And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:

Now you will not swell the rout

Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners w horn renown outran

And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up

The still-defended challenge-cup.

And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's. 


R.E. Housman

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Come, gentle night, come, loving black-brow'd night,
Give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun. 

Romeo and Julliet, Act 3 Scene 2

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Dear RevaBeth

Maybe sending poems to a poet isn't the right thing, but my intent is only to offer you thoughts that have helped me through hard times, with the hope that they might do the same for you.
Love, Marta