Today is the 4th Anniversary of our sweet Brady's death. So much has happened in those 4 years, but it is a day that Andy and I will remember vividly forever. We had decided the previous day to have Brady baptized (not because we thought he needed it to enter Heaven, but as a wonderful way to celebrate his short life before he died) and then to remove him from the ventilator that was breathing for him. Pastor Mark, and many of our family were able to be there that day and we video taped his baptism. I usually watch it today every year, and will again as time permits later today. After he was baptized, our family went to the waiting room, and the medical staff helped us get Brady unhooked from all of his machines. They used a bag to keep him breathing so that we could go to a private room and Andy could hold him before he passed away. I had the honor of holding him once during Kangaroo Care before he got his infection. Once we were in the room, they unhooked the bag and gave him some extra pain medicine, because I insisted that I did not want him to suffer at all before he died. He only lived for a few minutes, and it was awful, and wonderful all at the same time. After Andy and I said goodbye to him, we dressed and wrapped him in a tiny blue blanket, and let Eli come in and see him. He reacted like any 2 year old-with interest for about a second. :) Then, other family who wanted to, came in to hold him and say their goodbyes. We did footprints and bathed him off afterwards, and I will forever cherish that time with him. It was so hard to let them take him, but thankfully, God, in His grace and mercy, gave us two other blessings who needed our care and attention (3 counting Eli)!
We truly felt then, and still do today, that God saved Brady's life long enough for Jordan and Drew to be the healthy, happy kids they are today. He also answered our prayers. He always does. While we prayed for his miraculous healing and for time here on Earth, we also prayed for Brady to not have a life of pain and suffering. God healed him by taking him to Heaven, and it is with HOPE that we await getting to see him again. That is what Easter is about. The hope that was created through Jesus' death and resurrection.
When people ask if Jordan and Drew are twins, we all usually say "yes". Because for all practical reasons, they are. They will grow up together, in the same class, be the same age, and people will notice that. So, when someone in the grocery store asks if they are twins, I say that they are. But sometimes, when I know that I am meeting someone who is going to be a part of our lives in some way, I reply, "Well, they are actually surviving triplets." That allows me to share Brady's story with them, so that he is remembered and his story can still bring someone to Christ, through the help of the Holy Spirit. During my quiet reflection time this morning (while rocking Luke), I imagined Jordan and Drew when they are older. They go on a first date, and as they sit in a restaurant talking and getting to know their love interest, they share Brady's story and share what a huge part of our life he was and is. He will never be forgotten, and while we do not understand it all, we do trust that God is in control. He healed Brady one way, and Luke in another. Andy and I are forever thankful for both of these sons; for the time we got with Brady, and continue to get to spend with Luke.
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