Emily Belle Freeman

They had one of those great love stories, Greg’s mom and dad.

There were a lot of things in life that Ralph loved—helicopters, the Utes, canning peaches in the fall. But there was nothing he loved more than Bonnie.

They were inseparable. I will always remember that.

He was loyal to the core. He believed that everybody deserved a second chance. He taught us that there is nothing that hard work can’t solve.

That family matters.

That Jesus Christ lives.

And that we were loved.

It was his trademark phrase, every time he left. He never said goodbye. He would wave his hand in a casual way, shrug his shoulders, and say, “Sure love ya” as he turned to go.

I can still hear the way those words sounded, even now.

On his last night, we all gathered together around the hospital bed. A doctor quietly stepped into the room.

He spoke of the special providence that comes with the fall of a sparrow. … if it be not now, yet it will come, he told us—the readiness is all.

And we were reminded that while one cannot control what life brings, one can control his or her own preparedness to face what life brings.

And I couldn’t help but think, as unexpected as this was, that Ralph was ready.

It is just the way Ralph lived—always prepared, always steady, always ready to serve, to love, and to go where God called him next.

And so we will hold onto the lessons he taught us.

And believe in Christ, and work hard, and live ready.

Until we meet again.

“Sure love ya.”