Cordells Birthday

I will continue to write about the last year and a half later, today I just wanted to post a message to my brother since it is his birthday today.

Today is my brother Cordell’s birthday. Over the last few years this has been a difficult day along with other anniversaries and holidays but I’ve been trying to have less sadness and I want to do more celebrating of his life when these times come around. In honor of Cordell’s birthday I would like to share a happy memory I have of him.


Shortly after Cordell came home from his mission our family came together to do the temple work for my grandparents we all had a wonderful experience in the bountiful temple then that night we stayed at my aunt’s house. There wasn’t enough places for us to sleep so Cordell and I thought we could just share a queen size air mattress if I had my head down by his feet and he had his head by my feet. We both laughed and cried for hours as we talked about life, Cordell’s mission, dating, different spiritual experiences that we have had and anything else that came to mind. When we finally went to bed it was the worst sleep I had had in a long time. We kept bumping into each other and trying not to touch each other all night. When we both woke up in the morning Cordell said, “I hated that; we can never sleep like that again!”

Cordell was such a good friend to me. I have so many memories of us talking and talking and talking, even when we were young. I hope my kids grow as close as we did and I also secretly hope that they will never have to experience loss like I have.

Parker just asked me why I was crying and I told him it is because it’s uncle Cordell’s birthday and I miss him then he said, “Don’t be sad mom uncle Cordell will be resurrected and you will see him again”. Oh the amazing faith of a little child. I will see Cordell again and I believe he is aware of his family and has on a number of occasions helped us from the other side of the veil. I love you Cordell and I’m so grateful for the friendship that we have. Happy Birthday!