Death... The Greatest Teacher of All

I would have to say for me anyway... that death is the greatest teacher. Maybe that is part of why I have seen loved ones pass away all around me since I was young or maybe because all my relatives are older. My mom was the youngest of 6 children and they were all spread way apart in age. You would think it gets easier the more you have experience with it, but it is sad no matter what. My Aunt Jean passed away this morning. She was a healthy 86, so it came as a surprise. She had hip surgery a month ago and was doing great and then caught pneumonia and it rapidly went down hill. She is the second oldest in my dad's family. She was always so kind and I have never doubted whether she loved me or not. She lived in Phoenix so I didn't ever see her that often, but when I did she wanted to know all about my life and family. My heart hurts and have found myself on the verge of tears. She will be missed, but I can't help but think of the reunion she is having right now. I find myself almost jealous of her. Not because I want to die, but because she get to see so many people I long to see and interact with. I would never want to leave my husband and kids so early in life, but I so dearly miss so many special people and at times it feels like eternity till I get to see them again. I think death humbles you on so many different levels. It brings you back to reality and connects you once again to the spiritual you and makes Heavenly Fathers hand in your life more evident. Crazy to say, but death can be a beautiful thing and so devastating at the same time. I love my family and I'm thinking of Aunt Jeans family and those she left behind.