I guess this is more of a therapeutic blog entry for me. But I feel like I need to do something, while I am just sitting here at home thinking about my friend and brother Tyler.
I got a call from my mom on Friday night and I knew something was wrong when we started talking, and prepared myself for the worst. But nothing had prepared me for what she told me. My friend Tyler Graham had passed away earlier that day.
Ever since we have lived in Stayton, Oregon (1995) our lives have been intertwined with the Graham family. We all started out as friends and it grew from there into a family relationship. Tyler has always been like a little brother to me. He was so easy to like and love. If you saw Ty smile, there was no way that you couldn't smile. It was so infectious! He had the BIGGEST heart in the world. And had more love for animals than anyone I have ever met...I remember his baby skunk (that wasn't very nice), his ferret, his chinchilla, his 2 or 3 pugs, and probably a whole bunch more that I never had the pleasure of meeting.
Ty was one of a kind, and everyone who knew him knows what I mean. There just wasn't anyone like him. He always put a smile on your face and made you feel so good about yourself.
I have a lot of great memories of Ty, but ones that I will treasure the most came right after I came home from my mission. Him and Brolin were preparing to go on missions and I was trying to adjust back into everyday life. Many mornings we would meet and go out on the Graham's trampoline and have a morning scripture study. It was so fun telling them experiences I had and share with them my testimony of the Gospel and vice versa. Ty and Brolin really helped me to adjust back to normal life and I will be forever grateful for those times that we spent together laughing and just enjoying each others company. I'm so grateful that I have memories to look back on and remember Ty. He will be sorely missed by myself and so many other people.
Thank you Ty for always being yourself, and not being afraid to stand up for what you believe. Thank you for your testimony of the Gospel that brought the Spirit into so many people's lives. I love you and miss you so much!
http://tylermemorial.blogspot.com/ (here's a blog for Ty)
That was just beautiful, He was wonderful and just reading about him brought tears into my eyes, is been a very difficult past days. He had a greater purpose that perhaps right now we cant understand. But we love him, and Im so greatful to know we are going to see him again someday.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I can not say I have many memories of Tyler, evrey one I do have he has a HUGE smile on his face. My prayers are with the Grahams.
ReplyDeleteI share many of the same memories of Tyler and the kind of person he was that you do. Even though I was not as close with him he still touched my life and I am for sad for his loved ones. I'm so glad that I have the gospel which gives us the knowledge that we can see Tyler again and he can be with his family forever. Are you going to be able to come to the service?
ReplyDelete**Hug**
I agree with your thoughts about Tyler, he will be missed. I LOVE the pictures you take, they look great.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry Val, I hope your doing ok. I love you and miss you all. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome post Val. I have been thinking about Tyler a lot lately. Although I only had a chance to know him for a little while he affected my life too like I am sure he did everyone who met him. Thinking about you friend and love you.
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