Tuesday, February 19, 2013

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
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.

1 comment:

Tracie said...

That's a beautiful post. I'm sure Braxton is proud of his whole family.