The Sharp Knife of a Short Life

We are going to a funeral of a young friend today.  Christian Cruz-Estrada is a young man from church who was baptized within the last year.  He didn't speak a whole lot of English, but where he lacked in communication skills, he made up for it in his facial expressions.  Every time we ran into him, either at church, at the grocery store, at the park, Christian had a smile as big as the grand canyon waiting for us.  His smile said I love you, I know you, and I am happy and excited to see you and a million other things all at once.  It always delighted me to see it.

The last time we saw Christian was at the swimming pool last week.  Christian was swimming with some of his friends, and I watched him from the deck as he realized Guy was at the pool too.  Now, Christian is entering 7th grade and Guy is entering Kindergarten, but Christian and Guy knew each other from the Fathers and Sons Campout.  

Most boys that age probably would not take time to make a little boy like Guy feel special.  In fact, we see neighbor boys there, and often we can barely get them to acknowledge our presence.  But not Christian.  I watched as this sweet boy poured out that brilliant smile on Guy--a smile that took his entire face to create.  Then he gave Guy an enthusiastic thumbs up and nodded his head.  I couldn't hear their words, but I read "Yes, I know you!  We are swimming, isn't this fun?"  

Guy immediately ran to me to tell me that he saw someone from the campout.  He was thrilled.  This moment really stood out in my mind, even as it was happening.  And now I know why.  It would be the last time we would see that generous smile in this life.

Coincidentally, I recently downloaded the song "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry and have been listening to it a lot lately.  I think that the writer of this song got a lot of things right, but one thought I have to disagree with comes in this line:  "Who would have thought forever could be severed...by the sharp knife of a short life."

That line stands out to me, because I don't think that forever can be severed.  At least it doesn't have to be.  With the blessings of temples, the Lord's intention for families to be forever can be realized by every person who has ever lived and who will ever live on earth.  I am confident that Christian is in good hands now, as I believe that everyone returns to their maker when this life is finished.  He is also in the good hands of his aunt and uncle who will take his name to the temple to have work done for him to ensure that his family ties will not be lost.

At the end of the video above, it shows the family embracing. Some people would interpret this to say that the singer doesn't die, because she says "Gather up your tears, put 'em in your pocket, save 'em for a time when you're really gonna need 'em."  But when I watch it, I see a family that cannot be separated, even by death.

Although we are mourning the death of this sweet and tender young boy today, we rejoice that our Savior Jesus Christ has made it possible for all mankind to return home together.  I don't think it coincidence that Christian embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ before his death. I am confident that he "had just enough time", and I am grateful that we were able to bask in his light, even if for just a short time in mortality.

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother
She'll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

And I’ll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I’m as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I’ve
Never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there’s a
Boy here in town says he’ll, love my forever
Who would have thought forever could be severed by
The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I’ll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I’ll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I’m a goner
And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’
Funny when your dead how people start listenin’

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket
Save them for a time when your really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I’ve had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I’ll wear my pearls