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Monday, April 27, 2009

Loss

This is simply not a post I want to write but I do want to share so that you'll know where I'm at, personally speaking. I had a bunch of posts pre-scheduled because we were down in Texas visiting my family. My dad, as some of you are aware, is battling cancer. We flew down to Texas immediately following the wedding of Jonathan's brother, Bryant, and we expected to be down south for a good 10 days.

Two days following the wedding we received an early morning phone call informing us that Jonathan's other brother, Landon, fell asleep at the wheel of his vehicle while he was returning home from Bryant's wedding, crashed into a tree and died.

My family graciously sent us back to Oregon so that we could be with our family here. The memorial service was this past weekend.

What do you say in times like these? There really are no words. People come up to give us whatever comfort that they can and we take the fact that they've approached us in the first place to mean that they care a great deal about how we're doing as a family. In other words, there are few wrong things to say in these moments. Everyone is trying their very best to share their heart and we so appreciate that.

Landon was an excellent brother, a fantastic brother-in-law and truly the best of men. I haven't figured out how to tell his young nephew (my son) that we won't be seeing him anytime soon. How do you explain these things to a two year old? How do you explain these things to a thirty year old? The question of "why" inevitably rears its rather ugly head.

These things do make sense, really. We firmly believe that God is in control and He has a plan in this. Although we might not see, know, or understand it now, and have to live with great sacrifice and pain - we say and believe with assurance that God is good all of the time, all of the time He is good. He cannot be otherwise and He promised never to give us more than we can bear. He knows we will not crumble but that it would be hard not to. He offers His help and we accept it because if we didn't, we'd truly be lost.

Landon was 19, but he demonstrated depth of character that only a 50 year old could. I'm not just saying that because he was my brother. I'm saying it because it's true. You've never met anyone like Landon in your whole life. I hope you do though, because it's a blessing to have the friendship and the love of such a genuine person.

There is a lot I could say and a lot I won't say. I just wanted to post a notice somewhere at some point to let you know. Our family would love and appreciate the prayers. Some of you know and have been praying for that we are extremely grateful. We have been overwhelmed (in the good sense) by the love and support we've received during this time - which is ongoing. It's going to be a journey, that's for sure. But it's one that we will walk in faith, believing, without doubting that God knew, God knows and God loves.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Even if it's not your general habit to click on Youtube videos, I'd ask as a courtesy that you click on this one.



Check out Landon's last blog post which I now think is more than cool.

32 comments:

Alicia said...

Carrie,

I'm at a loss for words as well. I'm so sorry, and will be praying for your family as you all cope with this loss.

Janice Phillips said...

What a precious young man; this loss is beyond human comprehension. Thank God for his sovereignty even in this. The clip is perfect, if all too poignant now. You are never far from my thoughts and therefore my prayers. Looking forward to Sunday and giving you a hug in person.

ANovelMenagerie said...

I am very sorry for your loss. There is no sense in such a senseless act... other than God needed an angel. Your family will be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

May your faith and trust in God remain strong. So sorry about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
-Terra H.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. I'll be praying for you and your family.

Stephanie said...

I am so sorry, Carrie. I will be praying for your family!

Amy @ Hope Is the Word said...

Oh, Carrie, I am so sorry! I must've missed this post somehow. I will be praying for your family!!

Melissa said...

Carrie,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know there are no words, friend...but know that I am praying for your family. Praying that He will make Himself known in such a glorious way during this time.

morninglight mama said...

Carrie, I'm so sorry for your family's loss. No words seem to be enough-- just thinking about you and yours.

LuAnn said...

Carrie,
I am so sorry for your family's loss. I went to Landon's blog and was overwhelmed by his last post. How fitting. I will be praying that God will give you comfort during this time.

ibeeeg said...

Carrie,

I am so very sorry for the loss your family has to endure.
He sounds like he was very wonderful young man!
Blessed Be Your Name YouTube video seems perfect...
Your family will be in my prayers.
-Deanna-

Marks of Faith said...

Thinking of you all...I won't ever forget that day.

Thanks for posting the video...I love that song.

Blessings and prayers,
Jennifer

Ronnica said...

This is not the kind of post I wanted to read when I came by your blog. That said, I'm so glad that you shared it as now I can be praying for you and your family.

Carrie, may God be your greatest comforter today and in the days ahead.

jama said...

So very sorry to hear this news, Carrie. Love and prayers to you and your entire family.

Cheryl said...

I'm so sorry for your loss but what a comfort it must be to you to know Landon is in Heaven,I read his last post on his blog,how beautiful to read knowing he is in Heaven now.
I will be praying for your family.I know you will miss such a wonderful person.

Stacy said...

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

drey said...

Carrie ~ I am so very sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you & your family in times like this. (((hugs)))

Sarah M. said...

What a great song. "When the darkness closes in still I will say.. Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

You know I'm praying for you and your family. Thanks for being so open with your blogging friends so we can know where you are and pray for you.

Anonymous said...

I am praying for your family.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your family's loss. There are no words that can bring comfort in this world, so I pray that the peace of Jesus will rest upon you and your family.

Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) said...

Oh my word!!!!!!! That is so tragic! I am soooooo sorry!!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Leya said...

Carrie, I'm so sorry for your loss. My condolences.

Keeping you and yours in my prayers and thoughts.

Hugs

Stephanie said...

19 years old is so young (of course, when my mom died last year at 65 I said the same thing). May your faith bring you hope.

Katrina said...

Oh Carrie, I am so, so sorry. Your family is in my prayers.

Stephanie Kay said...

Carrie, I'm also praying for you and your family as you grieve. I can imagine this will be a difficult Mother's Day for you m-i-l. She's definitely in my prayers, too.

Stephanie Kay said...

As I said in my email. I'm a moron!! :) Glad I could provide a laugh. :)

hopeinbrazil said...

Carrie, I dropped in to read your blog and was stunned with your news. There are no words... May you sense the Lord's sustaining grace.

Alyce said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.

Lisa Spence said...

Praying. Still.

Amy said...

I"m just now catching up on blogs...I'm so sorry Carrie. I'll be praying for your family.

~teachmom~ said...

Carrie,
I am so sorry. I am waayyy behind on blog reading these days and am now just coming to this.
This comes close to my heart. I know what it is to lose a brother so suddenly as this. I lost mine 7 years ago, next month. The pain lessens as the years pass, but it doesn't mean you miss him less. Comfort always lied in the fact he knew the Lord.
My sincerest sympathy to you and yours.

Amy

Annette W. said...

Carrie,

Thank you for sharing so personally. My husband's brother died just before our wedding...we know loss, but it's different for every person. I am so glad you are able to celebrate his life.

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