Family...an eternal one..

Even though this is a couple weeks late, I'm still posting it. My great uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about a month ago and his health rapidly declined over the past month. He passed away tonight but through it all, I have been thankful for the knowledge of eternal families and know that I will see him again. He was a great uncle who lived life to the fullest everyday and has made an impact/inspiration on everyone that has come into his life. Now, this is me, giving my thanks for my family. The Moss family.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the Moss Family lately. I don’t know if its because every year around this time I wish I were out in Idaho or visiting family enjoying the holidays together. I haven’t had a Thanksgiving or a Christmas with the Moss family since we moved out here to PA. I was recently watching a home video that’s back from 20 years ago, when I was about 7 months old and noticing how everybody changed and even thinking “its nice to go back 20 years and not knowing where everybody has ended up, how far apart (miles) we are, who married who.” I even hate to say this but, I miss it. I miss all the memories that we had growing up and coming out to Idaho to visit. But, as I look back on my many memories, I know that my life would not be the same without them in my life. Sure, we’ve all had our differences, own challenges or trials but in the end it comes down to the two people that started the Moss Family. Our grandparents, Lyle and Bonnie Moss. We all have them to thank for raising great children who are amazing parents, aunts, and uncles. As Thanksgiving approaches, I thank Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for blessing me with such an amazing family that I love and miss very much. I also want to thank Heavenly Father and Jesus for blessing me with such a great Grandpa who I miss everyday and know that he is with me and there is no doubt in my mind that he was proud of me and proud of all his grandchildren. He didn’t care what mistakes we made or how different we all are, he loved us all the same. On February 13, 2009, I remember sitting in Grandma and Grandpas living room surrounded by family who were dealing with the fact that we were losing a very important person in the family. I remember one moment where all 4 kids along with Grandma were around his bed and with tears Tauna said “You and mom have been a great inspiration on all us kids” Even though, he didn’t open his eyes much after a few days, he heard what we were all saying to him and he knew it even before we said it. He even knew we were all there. Over the course of the past months, I’ve had frustrations and tear filled days knowing that I wasn’t able to be out there for the services but I’ve realized now, that I’m thankful I had those last days with Grandpa. You should be too. Growing up, I’ve seen my Moms extended family grow further apart, same with my Dads. I’m scared to what the future holds for the Moss Family because they are the best family out there. They’re there when you need a ‘pick me up’, being willing to keep in touch with you over Facebook, Giving words of encouragement and I could go on for hours. Before you know it, we will all be in different places around the nation and sooner or later, all we’ll be to each other is a memory. You guys should totally see my room—its literally plastered (well, not plastered) but hung with nothing but the Moss Family. Every time I look at a picture I remember what we were doing and where it was taken and I know that you guys will always be my family and nothing can change that. So, as I bring this sappy thing to a close, I just want to say Thank you. Thank you for being great cousins and for always being there. I realized last night as my mom and I were talking about Thanksgiving that this would be the last one that I’m home for before I go on my mission. Its crazy to think that a year from now I’ll be somewhere totally different or maybe sitting in the MTC waiting to go out in the field. Thank you for opening up my eyes to what family is and what it means. As we all go on with Thanksgiving and even life, lets all thank Heavenly Father for Forever Families. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what differences we have, what we’ve done or what we’ve said, we are and forever will be family. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU VERY MUCH (maybe some more than others—JUST KIDDING…HAHA)