Rest in God’s Peace My Sweet Cousin

ROBERT PAUL TRIMBLE
1983 – 2012

My dear, sweet cousin, Robert Paul Trimble, died early Wednesday morning in a fatal truck accident involving a deer.  He was on his way to work when a buck jumped out in front of his F150 pickup truck, was hit and sent through the driver’s side windshield.  Paul was life-flighted to Cleveland Metro where he later died of massive injuries to his head and torso.

Early Wednesday morning hubby came up to our bedroom to wake me.  He was crying and having a hard time walking to the bed.  Immediately I knew something was wrong and the thought that perhaps he found our pet cat dead somewhere passed through my mind.  Then he broke the devastating news to me.  I couldn’t believe it.  I didn’t want to believe it.  Surely he was mistaken and Paul was okay – just injured or something.  But the reality was undeniable as I read my cousin’s (our Godchild’s) post on Facebook where she was asking for prayers for her brother…then later announcing his death.  The shock was so great that I didn’t hear my husband as he tried getting my attention.  All I could do was sit in front of the computer, staring at the words and crying uncontrollably.  As terrible as the day had started, I had to gather myself together to get my family ready for the day…

Paul was only 29 years old and was married four years ago.  He and his wife, Theresa, just bought a house.  He was so proud and excited about owning his own home and couldn’t wait to make some renovations to it.  He was especially looking forward to the making of his “man-cave” in the den.  He was so happy.

When he was only three years old, hubby and I used to help my Mom babysit him.  Back then we saw him almost on a daily basis.  He and hubby became really close – always playing and laughing together.  Hubby would call him his “little buddy” and Paul would call hubby is “big buddy”.  When he was five years old, we made him the ring bearer at our wedding – he was so cute in his little tuxedo as he walked down the aisle proudly holding our wedding rings.  Abby, hubbie’s little niece, was our flower girl and she was so shy she didn’t want to walk down the aisle.  Paul took her hand and coaxed her as far as he could before finally giving up and walking the rest of the way by himself.  It was so funny.  At our reception, during the bridal dance when they announced all of the wedding party, Paul did his best to dance with the little flower girl.  I have a picture of it somewhere that I’ll have to find a way of getting scanned so I can share it.

Over the years, life took over and we didn’t get to see him as often.  He went to college, worked different jobs, and before we knew it, he was a handsome, grown man standing upon the altar at his own wedding as we sat back in the crowd tearfully expressing our joy for him and his new bride.

When a member of Mom’s family had a birthday, we’d all go out to eat.  Paul & Theresa would come on occasion, which was always such a fun event.  He always had a way to make people laugh and just feel good.  He was such a gentle soul – everyone who knew him, loved him.

He once said, “If I can’t live, then I’d like to be able to help someone else live.”  As a result, he became an organ donor.  Always giving of himself right to the end…

Our hearts are so broken.  He was taken from us way too soon.  My thoughts keep going back to my cousin Susan who’s lost her only son.  She lost her youngest brother just four years ago and now she’s lost her son as well.  My Godchild, Michelle, and her sister, Sharon, have lost their only brother.  My God, this is so hard to bear.

Since Paul wanted to be an organ donor, we won’t have his body back until later today.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

Please, God, help us get through this…

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.  May he rest in peace.  Amen