Mourn Death or Celebrate Life?

Orphee would be telling me not to Mourn him, but to rejoice in the time with him, which God blessed me with. He wouldn't want us to be grieving, and have our hearts so heavy with pain.

But this is so, so much easier said then done.

In light of recent events in my life, following the very inhumane (and might I add unnecessary, and uncalled for) murder of my friend , death has a new impact on me.

Death of a loved one is always a tragedy, it represents a time of mourning, as well as a time of celebration of their life.

I've lost loved ones and friends before this. From sickness, accidents, and even murder. I felt grief, sorrow, pain. But never have I felt so much fury, anger, and a longing for vengeance. I'm even ashamed to admit sometimes the strength of such negative emotions that creep up on me unexpectedly whenever I think of what happened to him.

He did not deserve to go the way he did, He was a caring, loving, man. The kind of man you could call at your time of need, regardless of what time, and he would come to your aid. And i can't help but think that's exactly what happened to him, that awful night. One person took advantage of that side of Orphee, knowing that when they came to his house in the middle of the night, Orphee would not hesitate to aid someone in need.... It angers and pains me.... and I can only imagine how his family must be feeling.

... His parents, who just lost their first born Son

... His 2 younger brothers, and younger sister.

... His Grandmother, Aunts, Uncles who all happened to be in Calgary at the time of his death

If my feelings are so raw, and so full theirs must be multiplied by infinity...

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.

Romans 12:19

So many of us are filled with such raw emotions of pain, hate and anger. It is my prayer, that God relieves us of the burden of rage and hate, and replaces it with a drive, and ambition to seek justice, and to spread the joy, love, and humour represented by all Orphee was, and leave vengeance to the Lord. These people may have taken his life from us, but they will never take away our memories of him, nor his spirit. Let us all draw comfort in the knowledge that he was saved, and he is with his Redeemer.