Remembering Tyson

I just wanted to take a day to honor one of the best men I knew.  A year ago today, my cousin Tyson Lane Larson, passed away.  He was 28 years old when he passed and we all miss him dearly.

If I could write a little tribute to him, take a second to tell you about the man he was, I feel like somehow I am paying tribute to his character, to who he was.

He was a man of God.  He loved the Lord and showed it in the way he lived his life.  He was so kind.  His tender heart was unmatched.  He was always thinking of others and putting them first.  He was so accepting and loving, always making sure everyone felt like they fit in.

One night when I was about 8 months pregnant with Eli, I was feeling a little stressed because I didn't have Eli's room ready yet, it still needed to be painted, and I had no help.  My parents were out of town and my husband was in Austria.  I called Tyson to ask a question about patching the holes in the wall before I painted.  He kindly answered, telling me how and what I would need.  We hung up the phone and I started to try to patch the walls.

Not 20 minutes later the door opened downstairs and Tyson and his sweet wife Lindsey walked through the door with their paint clothes and supplies.  Then a little later his mom and dad (my aunt and uncle) came over and they had the room painted that night.

I didn't ask him.  He didn't have to help.  It was about 9:00 at night.  He didn't think about if he would be tired in the morning when he had to get up for work.  He didn't think about just relaxing at home and taking some time for himself.  He thought about me.  He dropped what he was doing just to help me.

Then there was the time we went on a cruise as a family.  I had found out I was pregnant the night before we left and I was obviously upset about it.  I was crying in the airport and somehow Tyson was the only one to notice.

Tyson: "you can tell me, Nat.  Everything is gonna be okay."

Me: "no, no Ty, this is a big one.  I don't think so."

Ty: "no, nothing is too big.  You can tell me."

Me: "Well, I'm pregnant."

*Pause*

Ty: "yep. That's a big deal."

Then for the rest of the trip, Tyson was my protector.  He explained to people about why I was drinking decaf coffee because I couldn't find the words.  He talked me out of running away because I thought that was my only option.  He was my cousin, my friend, my encourager.  He was there for me when I needed it the most. 

And although I have many fond memories of Tyson, these will stay in my heart forever.  These are a clear representation of who he was as a person.

If you have a second, his wife wrote a post about the man he was.  I know it isn't the same because you didn't know him, but it is an incredible post.  He was an incredible man and chose an incredible woman to spend his life with.

Life is short.  Live each day like it is your last.  No regrets.  No grudges.  You never know when the Lord will call you home.  If you don't know the Lord, pray that He will show himself to you.  Life is too short.

Here is a quote from Tyson's brother "I’m going to try not to think of it as such a bad day, but as a good day. I’m going to try and see it as what it really was, God called him home because his work here on earth was done. Tyson lived such a awesome God honoring life that God said, “you did it! Your reward is heaven."

We're not sad for Tyson.  We know where he is because of how he lived here.  We are just missing him down here.  I am looking forward to seeing him again someday!

Tyson and his wife Lindsey after Eli was born

Tyson and Lavar

Tyson and my brother Eric in Alaska

Tyson the night before he was taken 'home'.  Picture taken by his wife.  This face sums up his personality.