I have been thinking about writing this for days now and I can't wait any longer. As most of you are aware, my brother Dustin was killed in a car accident on May 5, 2010. I think I am still in a bit of shock myself. Those around me keep asking how I am doing and I say fine, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about my brother. So many nights have I laid in bed crying. It’s not fair that he had to leave this world so early in life. He had so much to live for and so many people whom he loved dearly. I know that God must have some special plan for Dustin that he needed him to return home. I am truly grateful for the knowledge of Heavenly Father’s Plan and know that I will see Dustin again someday. These past few weeks I have been reminded of so many good memories of Dustin, so I have compiled a few of my favorites in tribute to Dustin's life...
One of my first memories of Dustin, I had to be 5 or 6 years old. All of us kids slept in the attic of the little white house in Ashley 1st ward. Dustin and I shared a full sized bed on one end of the attic and the older girls a queen on the opposite side. At night, when we should have been sleeping, Dustin would lay on his back and put his feet up on the metal head board. I would then use his legs as a slide. Thinking back now, that was pretty brave of him. It was so much fun, and I was so sad when he got a twin bed.
I remember when Dustin would go out on dates in high school. After he would leave, my younger sister and I would go into his room and just stand in there. We loved the smell of his cologne. Aspen, Gravity, or Preferred Stock. It was so strong the entire room smelled like it, and it smelled so good.
I remember when Dustin and Ashley were dating. We went on a double date (sort of). I was in high school at the time. We went to the stake center and played basketball. It was one of the first times I had really hung out with him and Ashley. We had a great time playing horse and any other game you could play with 4 people and a basketball. I am so glad he wasn’t embarrassed to hang out with his little sister.
I remember when I came home from college that first summer in 2001. I needed a job and Dustin was working at Coca Cola. He, of coarse, got me a job there too. That summer was one of the best times I had with my Brother. I spent almost every day with him. We would work early in the morning and be off by 2 or so. Then we would head to Dustin's house to eat lunch. Ashley would always have something ready for us. We would eat, watch tv, and just hang out together. I also have Dustin to blame for getting me hooked on Dr. Pepper. It wasn't a Coca Cola brand in Vernal, so we would have to fill our coke cups with it at work. That way we wouldn't get in trouble for drinking a Pepsi product on the job. He and the other guys at work also nicknamed me She-Ra (from He-man) and called me by that name the entire summer. I remember one day at work, we were back stocking product in the front aisle of K-mart. Dustin somehow convinced me that I should be the person on the top of the A-ladder. He then proceeded to throw 12-packs of pop up to me, so I could stack them on the shelves. I was so nervous, but Dustin promised me he would catch any product, or me, if we should fall. He was always watching out for me.
Dustin and Ashley loved to travel. They had a time share, and last year were staying in Eden, just east of us. They invited us to stay the night with them. We had a yummy barbecue dinner. Then we went swimming-even though it was freezing outside! We then watched a movie (although I think most of us slept through it). I am so grateful for those little times we spent together. With his family living in Colorado, I didn't get to see Dustin that much.
My brother was the best. "What’s up Jennie-Jen?" he would say to me. He could make anyone smile. He was the funniest guy, and always being a goof-ball. Whether it was singing or dancing, he was trying and succeeding at making us all laugh. The last time I visited with Dustin, he was holding my new baby Gunnar. He almost didn't come to see us, because his youngest Cortnie had RSV. I told him I didn't care; I just wanted to see him and his family. I am so glad that he came that day. I will always remember the smile on his face and feeling his arms around me that one last hug. He was my big brother, my friend. He will definitely be missed by me. I love you Dustin!
Love, Jennie
