Temporary Separation

Last Saturday, I received a phone call that a family friend's husband had been shot and killed near their home in a Phoenix suburb. He is survived by his sweet wife, Susie. They have one 2-year-old son and Susie is 8 weeks pregnant.

Susie's husband, Brad, had always been a blessing to Susie. She has significant health problems (Cystic Fibrosis and heart problems), and he had taken such good care of her. She wasn't able to drive herself, because her heart problems often caused her to pass out unexpectedly. But Brad supported Susie's desire to succeed, and would attend college classes with her. They had recently finished putting in a garden and a backyard for their little son to play in. Brad worked hard to provide a good life and home for his family. His presence will be sorely missed by his little family. Thanks to a thorough investigation by the officers, the young men who participated in taking Brad's life are in custody.

It was a blessing to be at Brad's funeral. Susie has miraculous strength that she has found through prayer and family support. In the funeral, the speakers told many stories of Brad and his eagerness to serve: his ailing wife, he spent time as a volunteer in Mongolia, and neighbors. The day he met this awful fate, he had spent the day roto-tilling a neighbor's garden even though they had just purchased flagstone and bulbs to put in their yard, but Susie said it was more important for Brad to help the neighbors. Susie and the other speakers were adamant that they had not only forgiven the young men who took Brad's life, but were praying for them, for the pain they had brought upon themselves and their own families because of their choices. I am amazed at this level of forgiveness and love. They asked the congregation to do the same. I'm praying just to get to that point. For now, I pray for Susie and their children, for Susie's parents and Brad's parents. I will continue to seek spiritual progression for the rest of their request.

I have since found out that the two young men involved in Brad's death wanted to steal a car to get to a party, so one pretended to be hurt in the middle of the road. Brad stopped to give assistance when he was shot from behind. He lived serving others and he died serving others. Susie is astonishingly happy and comforted by the eternal bond she has with her husband. She told me, with a smile on her face, "Brad made it to heaven, so now I have to live every day so that I can make it to heaven too!"

I am grateful for the faith shared by Susie and myself, to know that families are eternal, and that Brad and Susie's separation is only temporary. I am grateful for the knowledge that I am an eternal family with Oby and Chloe. This knowledge brings peace and comfort to my heart every single day, because as Susie learned, you never know what tomorrow will bring.