Otherside

Two years ago... Day two of the Big Ticket Festival.. The leader of the group I was with needed to talk with me.. As we walked towards the front gate, I had no idea what was going on.

Then I saw Mom and one of her best friends, walking towards me. My first reaction was one of excitement... Until I realized that they both had red eyes..

I got to Mom and she clung to me.

"Hannie... Uncle Steve is dead."

There, under the gate of the fairground, we cried together. We clung to each other. She held me, and I held her.

It was decided that I would stay and try to finish out the weekend.. It wasn't easy. My heart was raw. I broke down sobbing under the stars during the Third Day concert when they sang "Otherside." I clung to my friends, and functioned off of their support.

I stood in the back of the Thousand Foot Krutch concert andcried when their opening song was Rawkfist.. The last time I had seen my Uncle we had traded ring tones, because he had Rawkfist, which is one of my all-time favorite TFK songs. Apparently it was his, too. I had plans to get him their newest CD and have it personally autographed for him, which is what I was headed to do right before Mom came.

That Monday, rather then shipping him a cd along with some cookies I was going to make him, I touched his cold hand while he lay in the casket on a blistering hot day. I listened to my Aunt whisper in my ear that we were strong and would make it through. I watched my cousins place their football jersey's in his casket with him. I hugged them all.

My Uncle was a strong man and I loved him dearly. He was a fighter and he was immovable. Quiet, with a quick sense of humor. Stern, with loving eyes. He would always, ALWAYS tell me that he loved me, and squeeze me tight every time I saw him.

I miss him. Some days it hurts. But I have the comfort of knowing that he is Home. He is where he wanted to be.

For him, 'to live was Christ and to die was gain.' He definitely lived Christ his last years on earth. He loved his wife and children. He loved his sister, Mom, nephews, and nieces. He loved his football players. He lived Christ. And when he died, he gained more than we can ever hope to here on earth. Because of that, I know he has won. It was not a battle lost, but a battle where he impacted more people then most of us ever do. A battle where he returned home, victorious, and heard his Father say "well done, my good and faithful servant."

I’ve been sitting here for way too long

It’s time that I was moving on

I know that there’s a better way

I think I’m going to make a change

So come along now to where I’m going

Take me to the other side

‘Cause I need something better

Take me to the other side

‘Cause I want to live forever

One thing that’s for sure I know

This won’t be an easy road

Let me ask before I leave

Won’t you come along with me

So come along now to where I’m going

Come along now to where I’m going

Take me to the other side

Take me to the other side

Take me to the other side

‘Cause I want to live forever

Live forever

Take me to the other side