eight months
Because during Tyler's illness we saw God's presence and plans playing out so intimately, I had no doubt that after his death God would work in those of us Tyler left behind. Last Thursday, 11/29/12, was the day that marked eight months lived without Tyler. That same...
thanksgiving without tyler
Ron and I just returned from visiting Tyler's grave. Our plan to manage our first Thanksgiving without Tyler included very non-traditional activities. Rather than gather around family, we sat with strangers watching Lincoln in a movie theater. Instead of enjoying...
happy birthday, sweet boy
At 8:59 in the morning 16 years ago, my life was forever changed, forever blessed, as we welcomed Tyler into this world. Three years ago, I wrote a birthday letter to Tyler, welcoming him to adolescence. The other week, when I finally built up the courage to go...
fitting representation
Tyler's grave marker was finally erected last Friday at Good Shepherd Cemetery. On my way home from work that day, I stopped by, excited to see it. I prepared for some hard-hitting grief, since what speaks death with more finality than a grave marker inscribed with...
gravesite visit
The other evening, I left work to go sit at Tyler's grave. I've visited the cemetery a few times over the past 6 months, but only very briefly. Recently, with the weather turning fall-like, I felt compelled to spend some time there. I grabbed a camp chair from my...
light the night
Below is a note and link from one of my co-workers who is captaining a Baltimore "Team Tyler" this year. Thank you to Ginna and to all who end up participating! I'm praying a breakthrough comes quickly so that children don't have to suffer through the brutal chemo...
back to school without tyler
Today marks the end of a difficult week. Wednesday was the five-month anniversary of Tyler's death, but Monday was much, much tougher. Monday was the day Tyler would have entered 11th grade at Chapelgate Academy. One of the things that most troubled Tyler as his...
blessed
Lately I've felt incredibly blessed and so aware that God is good. More than a decade ago, I first heard a song that really put things into perspective for me: If everything good in my life were to end today, it still wouldn't change Who God is and how He's already...
three months
Just about everything I do or think or remember has a Tyler-associated experience to go with it. For instance, I get in my car, and there are a million associations: The times he sat behind me in his safety seat, and I would reach back and grab his little foot and...