Happy Birthday, David!

Today is my brother David's 27th Birthday. Sheesh! I can't believe another year has flown by. It's almost been 2 years since he passed away and although I didn't think it possible, time has made it easier. But, I still have so many "I miss David" moments. For instance, it's impossible to not think about David when I see anything super-hero (especially spiderman), hear a movie soundtrack, see a plane flying in the sky, watch The Simpsons, eat pie, talk about Mexico, eat mexican food, etc. haha!

So, basically I think about him a lot. And, the wonderful thing is I can think about him and talk about him without feeling sad anymore. I never thought that would happen, but somehow it did. And I'll admit, I didn't want that to happen. I wanted to be sad forever. But, now that it's happened I'm really glad it did.

In this past general conference Elder Shayne M. Bowen gave the greatest talk called "Because I live, Ye Shall Live Also". I felt like he was talking straight to me. He described everything I felt those first few months after David passed away. I wish I could quote the whole thing right here on my blog.... haha. Don't worry I won't. But, here are a few highlights that hit me so deep.

"I have learned that the bitter, almost unbearable pain can become sweet as you turn to your Father in Heaven and plead for His comfort that comes through His plan; His Son, Jesus Christ; and His Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost".

"My life started to change, and I was able to look forward with hope, rather than look backward with despair. I testify that this life is not the end. The spirit world is real. The teachings of the prophets regarding life after death are true. This life is but a transitory step forward on our journey back to our Heavenly Father".

Anyway, every year since my freshman year of college I made David a pie on his birthday since I couldn't afford to buy him a gift. He LOVED pie. So, last year I started this tradition of making him a pie on his birthday even though he isn't here to eat it. This year I made one of his favorites: French Silk. Yum! And, Austin and I sure enjoyed eating it. :)

We also released 27 balloons into the sky as a family (spread out across the country of course) just like we did last year. It was a really cool moment... talking on the phone to all my family members as we all released them together.

Releasing the balloons with my family on the phone... we had 27 balloons total.

French silk pie... yum!