Braden and his friends simply--endure.
Horrible procedures, hopeless news, friends who die, families broken and separated, life completely changed, isolation in hospital rooms, feeling sick, being bald, and living under the constant doubt of the promise of tomorrow.
Nothing is predictable.
Nothing is stable.
Everything is uncertain.
Yet...
they endure.
Braden and his friends are my heroes because of their ability to simply keep going.
The Energizer Bunny has nothing on them!! :)
I came across this poem several years ago, and I read it each year at our HOPE Walk and Touch A Truck, Etc. event that we do with the City of Olathe (this year on June 8, 2013) in our opening ceremonies right before our heroes release butterflies in honor/memory of our angel heroes.
Emma Grace's butterfly landed on her "special someone" :)
I think the lessons will be obvious as you read it. It isn't a story I wrote, just one I found but it describes the heart of my son and his friends.
This story always leaves me sobbing so get a tissue,
or a few packsof tissues. It is beautiful.
It helps my heart to know that there really may be a reason for all of this, not a reason any of us would choose for our lives and certainly NOT for our children, but maybe...
just maybe, there is something we don't know about "why".
This story makes my mind and heart, think...
and give thanks for their courage and example of what it really means to have the courage to endure and HOPE!
Our first trip home after round one of chemo.
The Brave Little Soul
By: John Alessi
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" God paused for a moment and replied, "Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," he asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone." The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this - it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer - to unlock this love - to create this miracle for the good of all humanity."
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you". God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.
In parting, God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God's strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith - many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.
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