October 6, 2013 Today has been a good day! Last night, as I prepared for bed, I thought, maybe I will just sleep in tomorrow. And then, I thought about how much I have enjoyed finally feeling good about being back in church and remembered it was a communion day and set my alarm to get up for early church. As we walked into the balcony, I was so happy we were there because it was also our new Music Minister, Justin’s first day. He is very young (in his 20’s) and energetic and you can feel his enthusiasm in his music. Okay, all that said...I am still finishing up our Go Gold for Childhood Cancer Project. It has been a very fulfilling project for me, but also an exhausting project. Last Sunday was a great day with 90 volunteers writing notes, packing boxes and gathering information about childhood cancer....due to the sensitivity of the families served...I continued the project this week and delivered packages, I have 3 more to deliver tomorrow. Right now, it looks like we served 12 families and spent close to $11,000. I originally, thought of this as a bandaide, I was corrected and told this is a “step up.” The 11 families we helped might be in the worse shape at the time of the application process. But, there are more out there...a new childhood cancer diagnosis almost weekly in our region. I am so thankful for Cindy Tidwell and Rachel Smalley that directed us less than 24 hours after Christian’s death to establish a Foundation in her name. I am almost certain, it was Cindy’s idea, because she spent the night with us after Christian died and those were here first words to me before anyone else was up the next morning...but I am not sure how it all evolved Rachel did all the background work quickly and Cindy was with Chris and I the first time we met with The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia. This continues to be the BEST place for Christian’s Foundation for many reasons. So now, the countdown is on for the second year of TEAM CMB.... our registered numbers are much smaller right now, but the race organizers are still supporting Team CMB in amazing ways. We need more runners and walkers in all events, but we also need Volunteers. You can register as a Team CMB volunteer by going to the link below and clicking, for volunteers, choose Team CMB and register...You might be at an aid station, giving directions or handing out water. I am trying to keep this non personal...but here are some personal feelings...Bailey now has her Learner’s permit to drive....since Christian’s Death and probably before, I have become an anxious driver...in the dark and rain, I am a basket case! Bailey and I had a icky experience driving last Thursday. At that point she had not driven on a main road, only in our new neighborhood where we are building....and the icky occured about 1,000 yards into the new neighborhood. That night, she drove with her Daddy for the first time and of course it was all great! Yesterday, I met someone at the Tunnel Hill exit off I-75, an exit I pass everyday, but don’t know well...I let Bailey get in the driver’s seat at the exit and she drove down a very curvy road, made a right turn and made a left on a major road, was traveling there for a bit and had to change lanes...all good, turned right and left and then right again pretty quickly and did good...then we were driving down Mill Creek Road for the first time. Mill Creek is narrow and curvy...people drive too fast (myself included)...but I have to say even thought I told Bailey she was too close to the edge of the road at least 10 times...she did great, there were cars behind her and she met multiple cars. She made the left into our new neighborhood and said “thank goodness, I was scared out of my mind” She drove the 2.3 miles to our new house construction and back down....I am very proud of Bailey Bryant. I honestly, can remember the first time I let Christian drive on a road, but nothing after that. Christian was an excellent driver, I hope Bailey will be too....Christian was always confident, right now, Bailey is nervous, I do not want her to feed off my nervousness driving....I was very confident at her age, driving the 3 speed column shift pick up and then driving my Mother (also in a stick shift) after she had surgery the summer I turned 15...the words that will always resonate with me, that my Mother told me, “you have a deadly weapon in your hands.” I told Christian that and have told Bailey that too and think of that often when driving....as a nurse, I have seen the results of that weapon over and over. I guess, some of you are thinking, you have not talked about sadness or missing Christian...well, I do not breath a beathe without missing Christian. But, I am not always sad! Right now, is a busy time, Christian’s Foundation is busy....Christian Bryant is still with us working on earth through her foundation......Thank you all for continuning to be a part of our journey. This is not an after thought, but did not want it to be a huge focus...October 6, 1996, Chris and I had a son, Joshua Shepherd Bryant, he died at birth...I can remember, my sweet Christian walking into the bathroom after I got home and saying, ‘You don’t have a baby in you belly anymore.” I just hugged that precious 3 year old for understanding that her Mama was sad. Time progressed and one night, Chris was helping Chrisitan with her bath, and she said to him, “I am going to have a sister.” At the time, Chris, knew I was pregnant, but due to our other difficulties, few people knew. So he said something to the effect of “really, How do you know?” Christian said, “God told me.” Weeks later, we found out that indeed Christian would have a sister.... October 6. became a special day, Chris’ Sister Kelley delivered her first child on this day, MacKenzie Land and my Sister delivered her second child on this day, Sabena Miriam Schmidt. Happy Birthday MacKenzie and Sabena! It is hard for me to believe that 17 years ago this very night I had experienced a huge loss...in some ways it seems like yesterday in others it is years ago..... I honestly think, I could be at the point of this same type of anniversary of Christian’s death and it will always be fresh...the difference....she was with us for over 18 years on earth. So, who will sign up for Team CMB? Who will help make a difference? sevenbridgesmarathon/
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 03:18:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015