The Passing of an Orange Giant...

Eary this morning, my brother Erik called to tell me that my cousin, Duncan, had passed away in his sleep early this morning. I took the news hard. I don't think even Duncan understood how much I admired him.

He was afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, but that never slowed him down. Sure, he had to rely on others to get where he wanted to go, but he was able to let us know in his own way what he wanted and what he needed. He always wanted to be right in the thick of things. He always wanted to be where the kids were, where the action was.

As a kid, I remember pushing him around the mall in his wheelchair, noticing how others looked at him. I remember going to a school function and having other kids ask what had happened to him, why he was in a wheelchair. They thought it was sad that he had to be there, but I never thought of that. Duncan was Duncan, and that was that. Although I am sure there were times that he probably wanted to be out of the wheelchair, I don't think he ever got frustrated with it.

He had many things that he loved. The color orange, being in musicals, being around people, being around his family and friends. That love was contagious. Things were happier when he was a part of them. People naturally gravitated to his smile. I don't think I've known anyone who had as many friends as Duncan.

The thing I admired most about Duncan was his relationship with the spirit. Duncan didn't have the ability to hold his emotions back, so you always knew when the spirit was present. I can remember being at the pulpit during my mission farewell, hearing Duncan towards the back of the chapel. I vividly remember his testimony, shared through his father at Greyson's farewell. Duncan knows his Savior, understands His plan and now is with Him, watching to make sure that we are all worthy to return to Him.

Duncan is the type of man I hope to become. Although straddled with physical limitations, his spirit was unrestrainable. I look forward to the time when I can see him in his perfected state, no doubt towering over me. I can't wait to share with him my admiration of his strength, my appreciation for his example and my love for him.

Farewell for now, my dear cousin. Please know you will be missed by those of us who still need to work to be ready for the next stage of our eternal existence.