Dear Prayer Warriors,
A few months have passed since our last post because, to be completely honest, there has been little to say. Of course we miss Kevin--more than words and tears can express--and we take solace in knowing he is with Jesus, living an incredible eternity that we ourselves look forward to experiencing, too, someday.
But our hearts are very broken--and not just ours, yours, too--and so we've been quiet, trying our best to move on with our lives, knowing that there is no quick fix to getting past this tremendous, traumatic loss.
What we can be sure of is that God will be there...today, tomorrow, next year, 10, 20, 1,000 years from now...mending and healing and soothing as only He can. We love Him and praise Him for that comfort today. In the midst of your trials, we pray you do the same, for He loves you very much.
We are often asked, 'how's Deb doing?'--and our answers seem so pat. 'She's doing well,' or, 'she's hanging in there,' or 'She has her good days and her bad days, but she's going to be okay.' Yet those answers don't do justice to revealing the real Deb Brown--the humility, the gentleness and the compassion she exudes towards others even while experiencing such incredible pain herself.
Through her kind acts, her thoughtful words, her calm presence, her smile, and her honest tears, Deb, the wounded one, has innocently helped US move forward. We are learning from Deb how to not feel sorry for ourselves, how to be loving when we don't feel like it, how to look for the bright spots of every day, and how to kick the word 'victim' to the curb.
With Deb's permission, we thought we'd give you a snapshot of what we're talking about by publishing an email she sent just a week or so ago:
'Dear Family,
I wanted to share our day with you.
Shelagh and I drove to South Haven for lunch today, got some ice cream and sat at the top of one of the stairways that leads down to the beach. What a beautiful day! While there, a man and woman wheeled
another man in a wheel chair to the same deck area that we were sitting in. He looked very weak and was wearing a face mask.
'We got to talking and found out that they had just brought him home from the University of Michigan where, after a six month stay, he had finally received a heart transplant that he needed to survive. His friend that wheeled him there did most of the talking. He went to Michigan State and saw Shelagh's Michigan State sweat shirt that she was wearing and struck up the conversation.
'Pete, the man that had the transplant, could barely talk but told Shelagh to go check out Amish Acres theatre (in Indiana not Pennsylvania, sorry PA family) He had done a lot of performing there, Frank Sinatra style stuff. He told Shelagh that when she spoke to them to mention his name. Very thoughtful of him! They all must have been in their early 60's. The woman was his wife.
'Next week will be their first year anniversary! A rough first year!!! It makes me so thankful for all the wonderful years Kevin and I had together! I thank God He sent us out to South Haven to meet Pete and his wife! Made my day! Hope your day is going well and that you see God's blessing in the people and circumstances He brings to you. love, debbie :)'
But wait, there's more.
Just last week, Debbie and Shelagh went for an afternoon walk on one of Portage's walking trails only to come back to the parking lot to find their vehicle's back window bashed in and their purses stolen. Deb's quiet response? 'I'm just praying for the people who did this.'
What godly perspective. But then, that's Deb for you.
She is a light for Christ, and we trust that He--through her--has made your day brighter.
'They will know we are Christians by our love.' Thanks Deb for being the example.
The Brown Family
P.S. If you would like a copy of Kevin's memorial service--still being talked about today--you can purchase a copy through Absolute Video. The minimal $10 charge simply pays for materials and shipping, and the rest is donated to the family fund. Call Absolute at 269-343-1000 and ask for Julie, or go to www.absolutevideo.com/contact_info.htm
Also, Debbie and Shelagh and the rest of a Great Buncha Guys will be performing at The Union Bar & Grille in downtown Kalamazoo on Thurs., Fri., Sat., Oct. 2, 3, 4. This will be their first appearance without Kevin, so cheer them on with your support. For more info, contact the Union at www.millenniumrestaurants.com/restaurants/union.htm
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