From Auntie Michelle

 

 

My Dearest Nephew Rhett, 

I am so sorry that this motorcycle accident took away your precious life. We were so shocked when your father called your Uncle Nonoy with the horrific news. We were shopping in Walmart when he called. Your uncle dropped to his knees and wailed, "Noooo! Noooooo!" I cried, "What??? What happened?!" He sobbed, "Rhett! He's gone! He died!" I was speechless. I felt so hollow, so empty. "That's impossible," I thought, "we just saw him yesterday on the family zoom meeting!" We left our groceries in the aisle and hurried out to the car as your Uncle sobbed uncontrollably. In the car, I called our boys with the unspeakable, tragic news. They too were in disbelief. I texted my mother who also could not believe the terrible news. Your Uncle Nonoy called your Uncle Ed, and I could hear him crying through the phone. The news spread quickly through the family cutting a painful hole through everyone's heart. 

Rhett, you are so loved by your family. You are so missed by them. Their grief is too much to bear. After all the trials you have been through, you were finally getting your life together. You were proving how talented you were as a machinist at your new job; you were succeeding in your Recovery Program, setting such a good example for others in the program; you were building a new life for yourself down there in Orange County. We were all so very proud of you. And then this senseless accident snatched you away from us, leaving us nothing but tears and sorrow. 

But we will get through this. We have each other and we have the support of the friends in our congregations. We also have the support of the cousins, Aunts and Uncles. There are so many who care about you, Rhett. The most important of all is Jehovah God. He cares so much about you. He longs to bring you back to life, back to your family. In fact, he promised that there will be "a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous." When he calls you from the grave, you will be raised up in perfect health with a sound mind. You will be able to understand how much you are loved by your family and by Jehovah and his son Jesus. You will be able to comprehend that Jehovah loves you so much that he gave his only-begotten son on your behalf. And you will see that Jesus willingly gave his life for you so that you can have everlasting life on a cleansed earth. This hope of seeing you again in perfect health, this is our anchor that holds us steady and firm until we can welcome you back into our arms with tears of joy. 

With Love,

Your Auntie Michelle