Today, my 28 year old cousin Robyn is been buried. After a battle with cancer, she passed away at 8:27am on Friday 15 October 2010. She leaves behind her Mom, Dad and brother. Just over two years ago she attended the funeral of my niece, Kirstin, who was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 18.
I remember when she was a little girl, she always had an answer for everything! There's something about the Mackrill girls, they're all arty, free spirited and never have to dig to deep for a chirpy answer, but they have the softest hearts.
For me this just brings home how temporary our existence is on this earth. Our move to Australia has been one of the most difficult life experiences I had. I really dislike my job at the moment and things like this highlight how important it is to stay focused on what's important in life. When we are young, we believe we are indestructible and that we'll live forever. When a young life is extinguished, we come to realise that each day is a gift and we need to make the most of it.
After the birth of our daughter Abigail, I realised that not much else matters. Yes, we need to earn a living to survive, but it's really not important. How you live your life, bring up your children, love your family and friends is what matters. I don't know how parents survive the death of a child, as it is unnatural and incredibly cruel.
Roby, I'm sure you're partying with Kirst and Aunt Ellen and Uncle Gerald. RIP my cousin. God Bless.
Love
Rich
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Life changing moments
People always speak about life changing moments. We moved to the UK, moved back to SA and then finally (hopefully) to Australia. Moves like these are one thing and have some challenges like missing our family and friends, but we adapt and settle eventually.
In July 2008, we lost my beloved niece Kirstin in a tragic accident. I think of her everyday and will probably never fully understand the reason for this. Why God decided it was time to take her when she had so much to offer, I don't know. The saying goes time heals.. but we are left with deep scars from events like these, and it changes your outlook on life, making you acutely aware of what is truly important.
Tonight was another life changing moment - my daughter Abigail Kirstin Mackrill was born today Wendesday 31 March 2010 at 17:36. To see the result of the love between my wife and myself expressed in such a beautiful little person is just astounding. This little lady who is completely dependant on us for everything now, will develop and grow into her own independent person with her own aspirations and dreams.
We have been happily married for almost nine years and parents always told us that everything changes when you have children and my parents say the same for grandchildren. I didn't realise the gravity of their statement or how instantanious that change is. Nothing else matters anymore, only the wellbeing of your child matters. The instictive feeling that makes you want to care and protect them at any cost.
In retrospect, I realise now that at the time I couldn't have known what my sister was going through when my niece passed away. We were and still are broken hearted, but to some extent, I can now understand the gravity of her sadness.
Holding that little new life in my hands today wipes out all the pain and suffering that goes on in the world today. I do not look forward to her first scratched elbow or knee, but I know that it will all turn out alright in the end as it's all in God's plan for her.
In July 2008, we lost my beloved niece Kirstin in a tragic accident. I think of her everyday and will probably never fully understand the reason for this. Why God decided it was time to take her when she had so much to offer, I don't know. The saying goes time heals.. but we are left with deep scars from events like these, and it changes your outlook on life, making you acutely aware of what is truly important.
Tonight was another life changing moment - my daughter Abigail Kirstin Mackrill was born today Wendesday 31 March 2010 at 17:36. To see the result of the love between my wife and myself expressed in such a beautiful little person is just astounding. This little lady who is completely dependant on us for everything now, will develop and grow into her own independent person with her own aspirations and dreams.
We have been happily married for almost nine years and parents always told us that everything changes when you have children and my parents say the same for grandchildren. I didn't realise the gravity of their statement or how instantanious that change is. Nothing else matters anymore, only the wellbeing of your child matters. The instictive feeling that makes you want to care and protect them at any cost.
In retrospect, I realise now that at the time I couldn't have known what my sister was going through when my niece passed away. We were and still are broken hearted, but to some extent, I can now understand the gravity of her sadness.
Holding that little new life in my hands today wipes out all the pain and suffering that goes on in the world today. I do not look forward to her first scratched elbow or knee, but I know that it will all turn out alright in the end as it's all in God's plan for her.
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