God Be With You Til We Meet Again

On June 22, 2016 my brother, Zackary Kimball Christian, passed.

It hurts every time I think of him. 

Every single one of us miss him tremendously.

Our hearts find comfort in knowing he's at peace.  In knowing he doesn't hurt anymore.  In knowing we will be together again some day.  

It's not always easy to understand the Lord's path for us.  And at times the things in life we have been given feel unbearable.  But I know without a doubt, we will be able to see the life in Zack's eyes again.  To hug him, to be with him.  

In his last days he was taken to a hospice center.  His children and wife were able to be with him and stay in the home as well.  A tender mercy of the Lord.  

It was hard for him to be there.  His loving wife was by his side.

As he was in hospice he was in and out of sedation.  One of the tender moments he had was when he woke up during a special visit.  Tyler and Crystal brought their newborn child that Zackary hadn't seen.  When he came to and saw her, he instantly asked if he could hold her.  Alice met Zackary for a brief moment.  I wasn't there but when they shared this picture with me I cried.  Zackary has such a big heart for family, and it showed to the very end.  

It wasn't easy for any of us to watch was Zackary was going through.  He tried so hard to be there, consciously and smile when he realized people were there and posing for pictures.  

On Father's day Kori got dad a shirt that sad, "Awesome Dad.  Just like a normal dad, but much Cooler."  Kori knew Zack would want to have something for his Father on father's day.  I am so grateful for the effort she made into doing that for the both of them.

It wasn't easy for him to move around.  He quickly began struggling for control with his whole body.  I was touched by the number of people who came to see Zackary, and were there aiding him.  I hope and pray that he knows how much he is loved!  The number of people who helped and came to see Zackary and his family touched my heart and overwhelmed me to tears.

None of us wanted to let him go.

His favorite aunt and uncle came up to see him.  Zackary had a special place in his heart for these two.  And it was identically reciprocated.  

Kori also got Tate a shirt for Zack, for Fathers day that said, "Rules for dating my Daughter.  #1: You can't".  Zack enjoyed humor and loved to laugh.  Though it was hard for him to do so, Kori knew that he would love it.  And that Tate would know that's how her dad felt about her and Kenzie.  Love and Protection.

I wasn't sure if my brother Jacob was going to come up from Missouri, but it meant the world to all of us that he did.  Zackary was coming to less and less.  Speech was difficult.  But minutes before Jake got here, he sat up in his bed.  Those around him aided him into a wheelchair as Zack was wanting.  As we pulled him around the corner of the hallway, Jacob and Shelly, walked in through the hospice center doors.  Zackary knew that he was coming.  And I feel as though he was waiting for him.  Tears could not stop once Jacob got there for many of us.

This woman amazes me.  I don't know how else to say it.  One of the things that I noticed was that Zackary would constantly ask for Kori.  I felt that when so many of us were around, he became overwhelmed.  Wanting to be there mentally for all of us, but couldn't.  And he then would ask for Kori.  That was evidence to me of their love.

On the walls of his room, his girls and the cousins had many drawn up pictures to show their love.  My mom also brought many pictures of him in his youth.

This one was of Zackary and I.  I will treasure this picture.

While in hospice Zackary would sometimes speak of the things he was worried about or thought about.  One of them was the raspberries.  He LOVED raspberry pie.  So dad ran out and bought some.  The next day, mom picked hers and made a raspberry pie.

That night they all ate it together.  We weren't there that night either, but my heart exploded when I saw this picture!  THIS is what made Zackary most happy. Being together as a family enjoying the things we love. He got to have raspberry pie for the last time.  He woke up and said, "Oh!"  Posed for the picture and ate a little.  Family was everything to him.

Many of us had opportunities to have moments with Zack.  We are so grateful for those times.

The last day, over night even, things escalated.  That Wednesday evening, Zack left this world.  Many of us were in the room when he went.  I will not share that experience.  But I will say just before we were going to let the other family and friends come in, Tate put his Nebraska hat over his eyes.  It made me smile because that was exactly how I envision him at my parents house.  Take a few Z's in my dad's blue recliner chair with his hat tipped over his face as he slept.  Then his good friend Jerritt Wiser adjusted his hat to fit just right on his head.  Without a single doubt, and every one saw it.  He had a smile on his face.  He left this world with a smile.  His body was at peace and his soul was ready to meet God.  Dearest Zackary, we miss you.  We love you.  God be with you till we meet again. 

For journaling purposes, I am including his left sketch that was given by Jacob and I at the funeral.

Zackary Kimball Christian was born January 7, 1980 in Omaha, NE to Janet and Craig Christian.  He was the 3^rd of 6 children and their 3^rd son.  The day of his birth was recorded by his mother, Janet in her journal entry;

“Today our 3^rd son was born… our baby is healthy and whole.  He weighed 8lbs 10 oz and was born at 12:38 pm.  I was excited and couldn’t sleep much last night….Craig and I, had prayers and then he gave me a blessing.  He told me this baby would be a close companion to me…  I hope our little Zackary didn’t go through to much… Zackary was born and then surprised us all by being a boy!  None of us were disappointed at all.  He has lots of dark hair and round face.  Good coloring, perfect.  And a chin like his Dad, and toes like his Mom.  We love him dearly….His name by the way is Zackary Kimball Christian. There was a song that John Denver sings about ‘Little Zackary’ on a Christmas album. Guess that’s what sparked the idea for his first name and Craig decided on Kimball as to remember our beloved prophet Spencer W. Kimball.”

When he was 1 ½ years old his family moved to Richland, WA.  Mom mentioned that on the drive up he was a happy content baby on the whole trip.  Even though his time after birth in Omaha was short, he seemed destined to be a life-long Nebraska Cornhusker fan and he was frequently pictured wearing his Nebraska hat.

As a child some of his favorite summer trips were to Priest Lake, ID where he enjoyed playing in the water and sand, skiing, and kayaking. He also loved to visit his Aunt Karen’s house and cousins. Grandpa Green’s house in Noxon, Montana was a favorite place to visit. There he would swim, go for tractor rides, fish, go snowmobiling, and enjoy taking part in preparing a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Zack and his Grandpa Green seemed to share their own bond.  I remember Zack had given Grandpa Green a silver dollar that he kept in the pocket of his Pendleton wool shirt.  Grandpa Green called it his lucky dollar.  Even upon his Grandpa Green’s death, he had that silver dollar in his pocket.

In his youth he learned the value of work, through gardening, landscaping, and early mornings spent changing irrigation pipe before grade school began for the day.  Occasionally, Zack would sneak off with Ez and I and take out as many gophers as we could to prevent them from clogging up the sprinkler lines. 

Zack pursued his love for sports as he played baseball and football.  In baseball he loved playing catcher. With football he played for Grid kids, in middle school he played as linebacker, and during High school he played as offensive guard and defensive tackle for Richland High school.  Perhaps the high light of his time playing football was during, his senior year,  as he was part of the 1997 state qualifying  football team.  GO BOMBERS!  It was also at Richland High where he met his sweetheart and future bride, Kori Hedquist, his freshman year. 

Zack was also incredibly artistic and loved the outdoors and scouting.  He was a great shot too and whether it be laser tag, paintballing, or shooting at the range, he seemed to have such good aim. When Zack was living with Grandma Christian for a while, as he commuted for work in Spokane, there was a feisty squirrel dead set on raiding Grandma’s bird seed.  Grandma was not happy about it and Zackary asked her, “Well do you have a gun?”  As the squirrel ran up the tree, Zackary steadied his aim and took one shot.  Grandma, Aunt Shawny, and Zack paused to see the reaction of the squirrel after the shot.  Next thing they knew, the squirrel dropped from the tree dead at their feet, with a bullet hole smack dab in between its eyes.  Grandma ranted and raved about Zack and his perfect aim.   

Zack had a unique opportunity to go to Australia where he got to see the rugged landscape, explore the Great Barrier Reef, dine with exotic birds, and eat kangaroo and crocodile.  Before his Australian trip ended, he purchased an authentic fertility statue.  For those who have been fortunate to be with Zack when he showcased that particular piece of art, it was sure to come with a good hearted laugh from Zack. 

When high school ended he decided to return to Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska and began his undergraduate studies.  As a Nebraska fan, he continued his passion for football by going to the football games and cheering on the Huskers through thick or thin.  Over the years, I have enjoyed being able to go to those games with him and talk up various aspects of Nebraska football.  It was more than just a game, it was a part of a bond we shared together.  While attending college together I learned that Zack had become quite the prankster.  For many years Carina and Zack had an ongoing battle of scaring each other around any corner or hiding spot.  Unfortunately, I fell victim to one particular prank, one too many times, one that Zack called the Nebraska Surprise.  There was also a time when he put up $20 to shave Eric Salisbury’s head to look like a partially balding clown.  The next day Eric went to church with his new haircut to redeem his $20 dollars.  I remember Zack’s smile and laughter that came so often in those days. 

Zack decided to pursue a mission and was called to serve in the San Antonio Texas area.  During those 2 years he shared his beliefs and dedicated his time in the service of others. 

After returning from his mission he married Kori Hedquist , for time and all eternity, in the Columbia River temple on January 26, 2002.  From their marriage, they had two beautiful daughters Alizabeth Tate and MaKenzie Mae who he loves dearly.  My memory is forever engrained with a picture of Zack and Kori walking alongside the cutest curly haired little girls dressed up in a Nebraska Cornhusker outfit.  And when Kenzie was born, I often remember watching him take care of her.  When she cried, he was attentive and tender to her needs.  Zack gave his all in caring for his little girls. 

Zack later continued his education and training in Massage Therapy.  He then pursued and earned his diagnostic imaging degree and completed his Associate of Arts and Science degree.  He went on to specialize as a MRI technician.  He dedicated many hours to countless patients as he worked at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Hanford, and Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, WA. Among all of this, he and Kori ran an amazing business at Eden Day Spa, serving many people in the Tri-City community. 

Later in life he loved to listen to music, relax to movies, enjoyed gaming, and continued to love fishing.  He always seemed to catch that big fish that one would be envious of.  When one reviews the pictures of Zack holding his catch, it is easy to see the happiness in his smile.  He truly cherished those fishing trips. One of the last things that Zack was able to do was catch a spring salmon. 

During his life he enjoyed collecting various items.  As a child, he loved receiving his cousin Justin Bennet’s second hand clothes that he called, ‘too little’s.  He would go to Aunt Karen’s house and the first thing he would say, was “Do you have any ‘too little’s?”  Zack also collected action figures, like  Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles, as well as baseball cards, and Pokemon cards.  The one collection I think he got to enjoy the most was his rootbeer collection.  In his aquisition of various rootbeers, he became quite the connoisseur of those frosty beverages and developed a strong penchant for Dang root Beer and Captain Eli rootbeer.  He would always buy an extra one to keep unopened for his collection. 

On February 11th of 2016, at the age of 36, Zack was diagnosed with metastatic neuroendrocrine cancer.  A rare type of cancer, with an unknown primary origin, that lended a grave prognosis.  During the following months, a war was waged against the cancer and Zack courageously faced his own mortality. Zack parted from this earthly life on June 22, 2016. He was surrounded by friends, family, and his family members that have passed before him.  That night, Zack was resumed his life in the eternities. 

Zack will be remembered as one who loved raspberry pie. One who was a kind, sincere, a fun-loving  guy, who made and kept life- long friends. Zack often replaced his own desires with those of others.  He uplifted and bettered the lives of those around him.  His smile and laughter is something that will be missed and remembered the most.  I am grateful that forever is more than just a word.  Let us find comfort in remembering the good in Zack’s life and look forward to the day that we are together again.  Let’s make that someday, be today, find joy in the journey, and be grateful for life’s moments and all their intricacies. 

We love you Zack, God be with you till we meet again.