El Rey- My Thoughts and Feelings Two Years Later

Tomorrow marks 2 years since Rey passed. As I think back to that day and the week that followed the first thing I think is how many peoples lives were touched by him and they in turn wanted to help the lives of the loved ones he left behind. There were many miracles that week and it was obvious that Rey was making sure his family would be ok. That week it felt like our family was wrapped up in the arms of our Savior. Even though it was a sad time the spirit was being poured out on us and was a testimony building experience. I knew then that I coudn't wait any longer to take care of the things I needed to so that Brett and I could go to the temple and Seal our little family for Time and all Eternity. Our lives have changed alot in these 2 years. I was pregnant with Brinley when Rey died and I remember thinking how much I wish He would have been here to meet her. But I know by the way Brinley talks about him that she knows him very well. I remember there was a day recently- we had just been at a cousins wedding and we were packing up the car to take Brinley home for a nap, before we put her in her car seat Brett pointed over to Reys old car and asked Brinley whos car is that, she said it was Papa Reys. Brett then asked Brinley where Papa Rey was she said at work-which is her answer when you ask her where anyone is. We then told her that Papa Rey was in Heaven. Brett put her in her car seat and then asked her again where Papa Rey was to see if she had remember what we had just told her. Brinley pointed into the front seat of the car and said right there. Brett got into the car and as he looked in the rear view mirror as he was backing out and said Kira she is talking to someone, we asked who it was and she said Papa Rey. She then kissed the air to the side of her carseat and said give Papa Rey kisses hims leaving. Even though they did not get to have a relationship on this earth I wish they could have had, Rey is aware of her as he is aware of the rest of us and she is aware of him. A few weeks later when we thought I had had a miscarriage I was trying to tell Brinley the baby wasnt in my tummy anymore but in heaven. She was getting upset, The thought came to tell her that the baby was with Papa Rey after I did she calmed down and has not asked me again where the baby is.

Here in the state of Utah and especially here in Utah County I feel like people have this warped sense of what is good and bad. People think that someone is bad because they choose to smoke or drink or use drugs. These things do not make a person a bad person as Im sure anyone who knew Rey would agree. These are bad choice that turn into addictions that sometimes we are unable to overcome. Rey was the first to talk to someone who didnt look like the rest of us, the first to extent help to anyone and the first to befriend someone who others wouldnt have looked twice at. He was the first person to give me a chance after Brett and I had started dating. He did not love the choices we were making but he took the time to get to know me. Me aside from the choices I was making at the time. I will forever be grateful for him because of that.
I am also grateful for the things he taught Brett, he never did a project that didnt include teaching his kids how to do it as well. Brett knows how to do anything and if he doesnt he figures it out as he goes just like his dad did. I am grateful for many other things he taught Brett while he was alive, as well as the things I learned from knowing him for the 3 years before he died. I hope that I can be better at not judge people for the choices they are making and to accept others no matter where they are at in their journey to return to our Father in Heaven. I am grateful to be apart of his family and I will live my life and keep the covenants I made in the temple in part so that I can forever be apart of his family I look forward to the day when I can learn more from This Incredible Man.