Dear loving family & friends of Andrew, I'm very sorry to read of the tragic loss of your beloved husband Andrew, loving father and grandfather, and I although I don't know you; I want to offer my deepest sympathy to you. Please accept my condolences without taking offence, because I care, and I hope that you will find some comfort in these verses. Acts 24:15 promises, "that there is going to be a resurrection." Many unexpected losses are due to what the Bible calls, "time and unexpected events (Or “unforeseen occurrence) overtake them all.." - Ecclesiastes 9:11b Our loving God doesn’t cause sad things to happen to our loved ones, as James 1:13 helps us to understand, ‘When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.’” 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 speaks of God as “the God of all comfort who comforts (Or “encourages.”) us in all our trials ("Or tribulation.”) " 1 Peter 5:7 lets us know that we can “throw all our anxiety (Or “cares; worries.”) upon (God), because he cares.” Isaiah 65:17b tells us that "the former things will not be called to mind, (or, be remembered) nor will they come up into the heart.” - Thus the heartbreak that we experience now, won’t even be remembered after Jehovah God resurrects our loved ones; thereby undoing the sad effects of death and the pain being separated from them brings. While on earth, Jesus resurrected his friend Lazarus back to life, speaking of his death as being 'sleep' and saying he was going to 'awaken' him. - John 11:11-14 reads, "After he said these things, he added: “Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.” The disciples then said to him: “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.” Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazarus has died." Jesus then raised him back to life again. - Please also read John 11:23, 25, 38-45. Jesus also resurrected a young man, the only son of a widow, and a 12 yr. old girl; and so we know that he has the power to resurrect our loved ones too in the future when the time comes for the resurrection! - (Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:40-56) Revelation 21:4 tells of the time when no one will ever die again; thus no more mourning or sadness, "And (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And no sickness of any kind as Isaiah 33:24 promises, “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’ Your loved one wasn't old, but I would like to share this verse with you found at Job 33:25 where it promises, "Let his flesh become fresher (or, healthier) than in youth; Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor." Then just imagine the joy when loved ones are resurrected and Psalms 37:10, 11, 29 gives us insight into the conditions that will be experienced by those living on the earth then; "Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, and they will not be there. But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it." - It will be a paradise where we can have the opportunity to live together forever in perfect peace, health, and happiness with our loved ones! Jesus gave us hope of a time when all suffering will end. He taught his followers to pray: “ “You must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. (Or “be held sacred; be treated as holy.”) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth- Matthew 6:9, 10 - When God’s Kingdom comes, there will be no more suffering or death on the earth, just as there is no suffering or death in heaven! I hope that your memories are helping you find comfort, perhaps by looking at pictures, and I hope these and other verses help too. Romans 15:4 tells us, "For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." Please go to www.jw.org and near the top left on the site, please click on 'publications' then look to the left and click on 'books and brochures' then please look to the right and click on page 2 and in the first row is the small tract, "Can the Dead Really Live Again?" This is very comforting. Take care, Sincerely Yours, Cindy Boyer