Richard Salmond

I thought I would just type some thoughts about what took place yesterday before they memories start to fade. My brother Richard was laid to rest in Federal Way cemetery yesterday. He received full military honors and had a twenty one gun salute. It was very well done.

I have been thinking about the time frame from when Richard first had the stroke in the spring and the circumstances of his passing around a week ago. The variety of thoughts and feelings everyone had concerning the situation and the events. I wonder what role Richard had in all of this? Did he have some input in the events that took place? Were they preordained to take place? I heard comments that people were having an easier time with Richard leaving us because it was not instantaneous but took time. Individuals had time to deal with the situation and think about it. I have read other accounts of where a person was visited before they left this earth by a heavenly messenger. They were giving choices about the situation concerning their passing. I wonder if Richard was given choices about how he was to leave this earth. Some choices easier than others. If he had a choice in this it makes me wonder if he chose the best way for everyone here that was left behind but in turn would be the most difficult for him. Though it was painful for everyone I have been seeing the blessings concerning how he left this earth. For me it gave me time to think about hope and death. What can take us from this earth and what we have control over. What can I fix and what is out of my control. I also believe because of how Richard left that he had some say in it. I have read other accounts about why people leave and sometimes they are needed on the other side for reasons we do not yet understand. My brother will be missed but in the last five months I believe he has done some powerful work and affected those who loved him by how he may have chosen to leave this earth. I believe there is a reason for all things and I also believe if you are trying to be the best person you can be that there is a time for you to die. You can influence that time by choices you make but over all I think we have appointments with death. However as I said before I believe some people are visited before there passing and given choices. Why... I don't know. But my heart tells me that Richard had a hand in all of this. I feel that he had an appointment but was given the choice of how to leave. I believe he chose the best way for everyone here but it was going to be the hardest for him. I may sound weird but I think it was an act of love on his part. He was called home but wanted to have the best for those he was leaving. Yes it was painful. Yes it was horrible. But think about it for a moment. For me... I have been touched and my eyes have been open. He has helped me put things into perspective. Now I need to honor his sacrifice and act on my feelings and thoughts that have been provoked by this event. I will miss my brother but I also know I will see him again.

I will post my talk and other things later. I just wanted to post my thoughts now.

Later,
John...