The hard things do deepen us. They bring us to our better selves. They toughened me up in some ways and made me softer, less afraid to express love in other ways.
What strikes me most is your question: "After so much... this was the ending?" I believe this is a question most people who fought so hard would ultimately ask, the question nobody wants to ask. Maybe God is answering with your maple tree and the winter? Beautifully written, always makes me think hard, very hard.
Thank you Yuni. I do see God answering my incessant questions of why, why, why! But I do feel like with each day I have a greater acceptance and greater understanding that this was just Brady’s destiny. Thank you for reading about my perfect boy!
He is truly a perfect boy! I love his radiating, beautiful smile in the picture. I would have loved to come across him on the street and share a word or two.
You write so beautifully about living through the hardest things, and you see the gifts the winters bring. I am sure your writing will resonate with many people.
"But then you have to walk away and remember: this is how they become what they were meant to be. Not in spite of the winter, but because they lived through it." Wow.
So beautifully written. Nature can be so harsh at times (like right now in 2 feet of snow and frigid temps!) but nature is also so beautiful in the way God orchestrated everything to work together. You captured the complexity of human emotions with the maple tree analogy so beautifully and tenderly. Even though I wish I could’ve known Brady more, I am getting a pretty good sense that he was quite a special guy, you capture his spirit with your words so beautifully.
Thank you, this is beautiful. Accepting loss and grief as inescapable parts of the human condition is harder than it should be. I used to think that people with a strong religious practice have an easier time, but now I know we all struggle with "why?"
I’m strong in my faith for sure but still struggle with why. I am working on acceptance and understanding there. I think this is probably true for any parent who has lost a child! You are not alone.
Brady's time on Earth may have only been 17 years, but the incredible human being he was will live on forever. And not just in you and your family, but in everyone he touched, and everyone who learns about him – like me – through your absolutely incredibly storytelling.
I'm writing the Book of Isaiah in my morning devotion time each day and your heart/writings/wrestlings brought this Scripture to my mind,
Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has chosen me.
He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted,
to decree the release of captives,
and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,
the day when our God will seek vengeance,
to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor."
If you find that you have an extra maple seedling 🌱 this spring, I think we are supposed to plant one in our yard (required by our HOA). It would be a great honor to have. Brady tree in our yard. He is always in our hearts and your whole family "just under the surface" of my mind as I go about my daily activities too.
I hope we get to have another coffee chat soon. They enrich my life and help my roots grow deeper too. Which, I believe, is closer to Heaven for sure! 🕊️🤍☕💭🥰
Thank you Jody for being a constant source of encouragement and love and light in my life. I would love to pass on a Brady seedling for your house! 🌱 ❤️
This was so beautiful and incredibly moving. Like you, I see nature as one of my greatest teachers. Restacked 🙏❤️
Thank you, Esther! I feel like nature has so many lessons for us.
The hard things do deepen us. They bring us to our better selves. They toughened me up in some ways and made me softer, less afraid to express love in other ways.
I see you. I hear you.💙💛💙
What strikes me most is your question: "After so much... this was the ending?" I believe this is a question most people who fought so hard would ultimately ask, the question nobody wants to ask. Maybe God is answering with your maple tree and the winter? Beautifully written, always makes me think hard, very hard.
Thank you Yuni. I do see God answering my incessant questions of why, why, why! But I do feel like with each day I have a greater acceptance and greater understanding that this was just Brady’s destiny. Thank you for reading about my perfect boy!
He is truly a perfect boy! I love his radiating, beautiful smile in the picture. I would have loved to come across him on the street and share a word or two.
You write so beautifully about living through the hardest things, and you see the gifts the winters bring. I am sure your writing will resonate with many people.
Beautiful post! I do hope you continue writing. ✍️
"But then you have to walk away and remember: this is how they become what they were meant to be. Not in spite of the winter, but because they lived through it." Wow.
So beautifully written. Nature can be so harsh at times (like right now in 2 feet of snow and frigid temps!) but nature is also so beautiful in the way God orchestrated everything to work together. You captured the complexity of human emotions with the maple tree analogy so beautifully and tenderly. Even though I wish I could’ve known Brady more, I am getting a pretty good sense that he was quite a special guy, you capture his spirit with your words so beautifully.
So hard to watch a precious child endure such suffering. Yet hard things "did not steal his beauty. They revealed it." Amazing.
Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you..."
Your writings show that God's presence and truths surround you and carry you, yet we continue to uphold you all in prayer.
Beth you are such a good friend. Thank you for your constant encouragement and for Dolly’s amazing artwork. ❤️
Thank you, this is beautiful. Accepting loss and grief as inescapable parts of the human condition is harder than it should be. I used to think that people with a strong religious practice have an easier time, but now I know we all struggle with "why?"
I’m strong in my faith for sure but still struggle with why. I am working on acceptance and understanding there. I think this is probably true for any parent who has lost a child! You are not alone.
Thank you for the reminder. Winter feels so harsh sometimes.
Brady's time on Earth may have only been 17 years, but the incredible human being he was will live on forever. And not just in you and your family, but in everyone he touched, and everyone who learns about him – like me – through your absolutely incredibly storytelling.
I'm writing the Book of Isaiah in my morning devotion time each day and your heart/writings/wrestlings brought this Scripture to my mind,
Isaiah 61:1-3
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has chosen me.
He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted,
to decree the release of captives,
and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,
the day when our God will seek vengeance,
to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor."
If you find that you have an extra maple seedling 🌱 this spring, I think we are supposed to plant one in our yard (required by our HOA). It would be a great honor to have. Brady tree in our yard. He is always in our hearts and your whole family "just under the surface" of my mind as I go about my daily activities too.
I hope we get to have another coffee chat soon. They enrich my life and help my roots grow deeper too. Which, I believe, is closer to Heaven for sure! 🕊️🤍☕💭🥰
Thank you Jody for being a constant source of encouragement and love and light in my life. I would love to pass on a Brady seedling for your house! 🌱 ❤️