Tina, Jeff, and Griffin
want to let you know
that sweet Brody took his last breath on earth
at 12:41 pm today.
Brody was thirteen.
He and his family live in my neighborhood,
about four blocks west of me.
Last June, his family received the horrible news
that Brody-
skier,
biker,
basketball player,
cross country runner,
and Lego builder extraordinaire-
had a brain tumor.
He had surgery, then went through any number of procedures,
but the news just kept getting worse and worse.
A couple of weeks ago, the family heard
that the tumor was spreading rapidly
and the end was near.
On Monday, Brody died.
I didn't know Brody well.
Really not at all.
I actually met him once last summer,
shortly after he was diagnosed,
when his dog got out of the yard
and chased Rooney and I down the street.
Somehow, though,
when the news went out last summer,
Brody wiggled his way into my heart.
Like everyone else in the neighborhood,
I wanted to do something.
Tina's best friend, Jamie, coordinated the neighborhood response.
I bought gift cards to restaurants,
a fancy Lego architecture set
and a Nintendo controller for his birthday.
I prayed for Brody when Rooney and I walked past his middle school,
and when I drove past Dahlia Street,
which I do every time I leave the neighborhood.
Today, I can't stop thinking
about Brody's family.
I'm thinking about Jeff, a physician's assistant,
and Tina, a yoga instructor,
and Griff, Brody's older brother and best friend.
I'm wondering
how a family moves on
after such a huge and terrible loss.
My heart is breaking for them.
8 comments:
Carol, that deep grief of the loss of a child is paralyzing. So young - 13! My heart goes out to all who knew Brody!
Such a tragedy! I've seen families go through terrible loss and turn it to good. Years ago a family lost their 10 year old to a brain tumor. His name was Miles. Now there is a cancer center in his name that provides helpful services beyond the medical care for cancer patients. It's amazing. Every year they have a huge fundraiser where teams compete in various games. Their loss has gone from tragic to an amazing foundation that builds community and helps others. My prayer is that Brody's family will find purpose from his death, a strength to help others.
And now mine as well. Sending healing thoughts to this family through you.
Your writing is so powerful and really captures Brody's life and the impact of his death on you and the community. So moving. Such a tragic loss.
My heart breaks for any family that loses a loved one, but especially for a parent that loses their precious child. I will say an extra prayer tonight for Brody and his family. My heart is breaking.
So sad to experience the loss of a child. Your post captures the lives touched by Brody. There will be added prayers tonight for all affected by Brody's loss. It affects so many when one so young departs.
Somehow I have to think that this family feels their neighborhood wrapping their hearts around them. It sounds like you knew quite a bit about Brody. It takes a village. Somehow I think Brody's village will continue to hold this family up during a very difficult time.
Lovely blogg you have
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