8 Years

My sister-in-law, Natilyn, posted this video on facebook. I haven't seen it in years. It sure takes me back, which is hard, of course. It also leaves me feeling really grateful that I was married to such a wonderful man. Little Bradley is sitting on my lap watching this movie with me and saying over and over "I like this song!" I wish he could have known Brad, but of course, then he wouldn't exist the way he exists. I'm sure he does know him and has seen him more recently than I have.

It is hard to express how I feel, and I especially want to be careful not to diminish the beautiful life that I have now, because I have been very blessed with a wonderful husband, and two very amazing boys. I guess I am just extra blessed that I have had two such amazing men in my life, and two very good and happy marriages. That is more than most get in life. I was blessed to be married to Brad and to know him. I wouldn't be the person I am now without him in my life and without these experiences. And I am very blessed now to be married to Mike, who is so supportive and faithful, and even was the one to suggest naming our firstborn after Brad. What an amazing man he is.

I often think of what my friend Shannon said to me when talking about looking back on a mission. She said, "I miss being a missionary, but I don't want to go back, because I could never give up the life I have now". That is how I feel. I miss Brad, and love him, but I would never give up the life i have now. Again, mostly I am just grateful for the life God has given me, hard stuff and all. I wouldn't give up those two years with Brad and I wouldn't give up now and the rest of my life with my amazing family.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video. It is a great tribute to each of the men that died 8 years ago today. I know that all of them are still serving God and living on.