To the loving family of Richard, I'm very sorry to read of the tragic loss of your beloved son, and brother Richard, and I want to offer my heartfelt sympathy to you. I hope you won't be offended that I'm writing, since I don't know you; but I'm hoping that you will find some comfort in these verses. Acts 24:15 promises, "that there is going to be a resurrection." Many tragic, unexpected deaths are due to what the Bible calls, "time and unforeseen occurrence that befall 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 us in all our tribulation.” 1 Peter 5:7 lets us know that we can “throw all our anxiety upon (God), because he cares.” And Isaiah 65:17b tells us that the former things will not be called to mind, neither 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. Revelation 21:4 promises, “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.” - Just imagine -a world with no tears of sorrow, no pain, and no death! And no sickness of any kind as Isaiah 33:24 promises, “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’" Loved ones will be resurrected, and welcomed back to life by loving family and friends right here on the earth in the midst of peaceful, beautiful, paradise conditions, as Psalms 37:10, 11, 29 tell about, “And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” - We can have the opportunity to live together forever in perfect peace, health, and happiness with our loved ones! Jesus taught his followers to pray: “Our Father in the heavens, . . . Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” - Matthew 6:9, 10 - When God’s Kingdom comes, there will be no more death on the earth, just as there is no death in heaven! I hope that you are finding comfort in your memories, perhaps by looking at pictures. And I hope that these and other verses will bring you comfort, peace, and hope. 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. And will you please look at the web site, www.jw.org as it offers much comfort that is solidly based on God’s Word the Bible, and it shares what has helped others to cope with their grief. If you decide to look at the site, when on the web site, please click on 'publications' at the top of the page, and then look in the second row; there's a small tract 'Can the dead really live again?' If you either click on the words or the box to the left underneath and then PDF format you can read this. Take care, Sincerely Yours, Cindy Boyer