Braxton Richard Lane Wills

Today is an emotional day for me.

My nephew Braxton,

who passed away in May,

would have been 13 today.

The loss a whole family feels

is so profound

and lingering.

We miss this little guy

so much.

He was so full of life.

He is known for being

sensitive and caring

kind and loving

and

all boy.

He has

a great

sense of humor.

I have seen several

miracles

since his passing

but one that sticks with me

the most

is the day

that Braxton found me on

my running trail.

He just ran right along with me

until I stopped

at the top of a hill.

His presence was

so profound,

I had to stop to see if

I could see him with my own eyes.

I talked to him

and told him how much

I love him.

When I started to cry

and tell him how sad I

was that he was gone,

he immediately ran off the other way.

He turned back with a smile

as if to say

"Don't be sad,

I'm happy,

I'm busy,

in fact I have to run right now.

I've stolen away enough time

to find you today.

I just wanted to tell you

to be happy

because I love you too."

I am giving myself permission 

to sit around today

and cry

because sometimes

tears are the best way to heal.

I thank my beautiful niece Dani

(Braxton's oldest sister)

and her band

Roatrip Romance

for writing and recording

this beautiful song

called 

"Wait on you"

It's balm to my soul today.

 I guess heaven

couldn't wait on

Braxton.

And I guess I better

quit crying

and get out on the

running trail

like I would normally

to show Braxton

that I am honoring his wishes

to not be sad

and to

live my life to the fullest.

I know he wants

me to

appreciate life

for all that it is.

Another thing

he told me

on the running trail is

how blessed I am

to have this mortality.

I love you Braxton.

Thanks for

teaching me so much.

Here is a great talk

by a living apostle

about

finding

joy in life.

Braxton would

approve of the message.

In fact,

it's the same message

he delivered

to me

in about

300 less words.