Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Finally Free



After a long and painful battle with cancer, our beloved friend Cory passed away this afternoon and is finally free of the body that has imprisoned him for so many months. I am so grateful to know that he is with our Savior and to know that we will see him again someday. Though we are broken-hearted, I want to take this post to celebrate the life that he shared with us.

We've taken more trips together than we've taken with our families.


We've probably taken more pictures too.


Cory was always one to appreciate a good meal.


And a good laugh.


At the horse races. We didn't have much luck.


But that night we had some great BBQ.


Lagoon - oh ya, walkin the wild side.


Cory was always trying to steal a kiss.


Always!


Sometimes he got lucky.


Little Wild Horse Canyon - We are quite the physical specimens, eh?


Gettin' our dance on - a month before their wedding.


Our favorite thing to do - dining out.


Dining out...


Dining out...


Hmmm, dining out again. We REALLY love it.


Sometimes Craig pops up in their photos.


Sometimes Cory pops up in ours. Just accept it.


Our trip to the Oregon Coast, our last vacation together.




Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated. ~Lamartine
I couldn't have said it better. These pictures are such a small part of the joy and good times we spent together. There is a piece of our lives that is missing and will never be filled. Candace, we love you so much and are so sorry that you have had to endure this trial. Please know that we are here for you and love you.


Cory, we will miss you, more than we can say. Till we meet again.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. My cousins wife died last May of brain cancer. She was 41 and she left behind a 14 yr. old, 7 yr. old and a 6 yr. old. My aunt moved in when we found out (Aug 06) and hasn't left their house yet. I hope your friend will have much love around her as I know she will need it.

Rochelleht said...

Chanda, I'm soo sooo sorry. I just spent a while perusing Candace's blog on your sidebar. I feel so bad for her and Hayes. I love you and am here for you. Let me know whatever you need, please. I am just so sorry.

Abby said...

Chanda - I'm so sorry about your friends. I can't imagine how this must feel. Candace is lucky to have you by her side!

Cher said...

Chanda, I am a friend of Candace's here in Utah - I got linked to your page from hers. Thank you so much for that beautiful tribute to Cory. He will be greatly missed. I feel lucky to have known him for the short time I did.

Cherity said...

Death is such a hard thing to deal with! I'm so sorry! I'm geting all choked up about it, and I never even met him!! That was such a great post.

aurora said...

Chanda, I am so sorry to hear about the death of your dear friend.
That was a beautiful tribute post. Thanks for sharing your tender thoughts and feelings.

Kamille said...

Oh Chanda. Beautiful post. I'm jealous you got a chance to know Cory so well. I loved seeing the pictures of him when he was whole. I know you will miss him deeply I'm glad Candace has you and Craig for friends.

katri said...

What a sweet post.

I'll be thinking of you in the days to come.

Julianne said...

What a sweet tribute to a great friend. I'll be thinking about you and Candace and Hayes.

candace said...

Chanda- I love you. This was such a wonderful post. I can't wait for you to fly home to give me some strength. I don't have the strength to do a tribute like this right now so you did it just perfect. Cory viewed you guys like his family, of course you knew that though. I am so grateful to have had such a wonderful blessed friendship with you guys. It actually is one of the things that hurts me the most about this. What am I to look forward to once a year? That was me and Cory's light. Oh that is a hard thought for me. Luckily, our friendship was something that death can not seperate.

Teri said...

What a special tribute to a COURAGOUS man! I have been a Friend of Cory and his family for many years. Nice to know he had such special friends.

Rebecca said...

Chanda, What to say other than what has been said. I love you, you are such a wonderful friend. Candace is very blessed to have a friend like you to support her during this very difficult time.

Anne Thompson said...

Oh Chanda, that was a beautiful post. I want to cry, but I won't because you put it so well that you will see him again in Glory! I am so sorry for you and his wife. You are a wonderful friend.

Jadie said...

Chanda ~ I have to tell you , I already knew what a good friend you have been to Candace. What I didn't know was, the extent of your friendship until last night. While helping her prepare for the service she talked so much about you and your husband. We were going thru pictures of Cory, and she kept referring to the vacation pics you're little families had taken together. It meant a lot to her to put up a picture of the 4 of you, she wanted to make sure it was perfect. Anyway, I know how much she loves you and I know you know. I wanted to tell you just how much you mean to her!
Thanks for being such an inspiring friend and person,
Jadie

Jonni Ann said...

Chanda, this is such an amazing post! I especially love the picture of all 6 of you. You all look so young. Cory was blessed with the best friends I think anyone could ever ask for.

It was really good seeing you and Craig last night.

Jules said...

So sorry to hear about your friend. What a history your families have together. Thank you for sharing this wonderful man's story. Prayers are with you.

ash & mat said...

I am so sorry. I cried reading this post. My prayers are with Candace and her family.

Lauri said...

Chanda this is such an amazing tribute to Cory! It was nice to see you at the funeral, although I wish it would have been under different circumstances. Craig did such a wonderful job on his talk. I hope you are both doing alright.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute to your friend and the bond you share as couples. I hope that you're still able to celebrate your birthday while you're in Utah. I know Candace will find you to be such a strength and source of comfort. As we all do.

I ditto RO - if you need anything please let me know.

Angie Seaman said...

I am so very sorry about the loss of your friend. He sounds and looks like he was a great guy. Be thankful for those memories. The photographs are forever priceless.
Blessings,
Angie Seaman
www.angelicagracedesigns.com/blog/
www.angelicagracedesigns.com

candace said...

I couldn't sleep tonight and found myself fantastically searching for this post. Weird, I know. I might be a little bit of a creeper tonight or crazy..or both? ha! It did bring me the comfort I needed. I just want you to know I love you.