I also lost a dearly loved brother this year, and the only thing I can think to say is that I am deeply sorry for the pain you are experiencing. The memories are priceless and healing, even as they come in sucker-punches of grief. Write when you can, and let Jesus hold you through the kindness of His people.
I’m so sorry Emily. I cannot fathom losing a sibling.
Your funeral humor sounds familiar. My brother in-law died when he was 33. At the final viewing my other sister and I sat, one on each side of our newly widowed sister. A mourner walked past the casket, turned and hugged the wrong sister. The 3 of us absolutely lost it. Hopefully folks thot the shaking and tears were sorrow. Ten years later we still howl at the memory.
I remember when a good friend died, how healing it was to share memories. I could have sat there for 24 hours, just saying every little thing I remembered about her. Thank you for sharing these.
Thank you for sharing this candid photo and the memories that are popping out right now. It's an honor to know Steven a little bit through your stories. There will be more memories -- memories you did know you had. May you slowly uncover each and every one, keeping his memory with you for always. 💓 My thoughts and prayers continue.
I’ve been waiting for this. Like many people, I sort of feel like I know your family and have watched you all grow up from your mom’s books. Never mind that I was reading my mom’s books, and am only Steven’s age. Steven’s age. 😢 We’re living in the ME now and the scenario of flying home to a funeral is my nightmare. As the Arabs would say, God strengthen you. God give you patience.
This is so beautiful, Emily ❤️ When I tuned into the live funeral for Steven, you were just walking up to speak. I sat on my couch and cried, feeling such sadness for your family's grief. But I thought your tribute to him was beautiful, as this is. Praying for God's nearness, comfort, and peace through the hard days ahead. And may your brother's memories keep you smiling.
Waking up every day and realizing he is gone is the hardest part. Even now, years later, something funny will happen and I will want to call my brother and tell him. Or I’ll see something that’s perfect for him and almost buy it and then remember.
I’m glad that you are with your family and that you’re able to take care of each other right now.
Thank you Emily. All I can do is cry with you and think about my brother's sudden death and also all the memories of that trip to Kenya together and how I kept calling him Kevin instead of Steven. He was so fun to be with on that trip. I'll never forget him.
Thank you for this, Emily. And thank you for your tribute about Steven yesterday at the funeral. The Kenya connection was so important. His early years in Kenya obviously played an important role in his life— in shaping the man he became. I am so glad you and your dad were able to spend that precious time with him, as a grown man, in his native country. He was a special person—- I can feel that. With the love your whole family shares with each other and with Jesus, I am hoping the sting of grief will be softened.
Oh Emily! Your descriptions took me right back to eleven years ago when my mom died very unexpectedly in her sleep. It is such a surreal experience to suddenly be plunged into the other side of funerals! May God continue to give you grace as you laugh and cry and remember and go on living another day without your brother. ❤️
Your words took me right back to the whirlwind that was my own brother’s funeral, 13 years ago. He was 18, and I was 12. I don’t know what it’s like to experience that loss as an adult, but hopefully you have a lot more resources to deal with & work thru it than I did.❤️ No one can ever really be fully prepared for that tho, I’d think. Praying for you and your family in the days ahead.
I also lost a dearly loved brother this year, and the only thing I can think to say is that I am deeply sorry for the pain you are experiencing. The memories are priceless and healing, even as they come in sucker-punches of grief. Write when you can, and let Jesus hold you through the kindness of His people.
I’m so sorry Emily. I cannot fathom losing a sibling.
Your funeral humor sounds familiar. My brother in-law died when he was 33. At the final viewing my other sister and I sat, one on each side of our newly widowed sister. A mourner walked past the casket, turned and hugged the wrong sister. The 3 of us absolutely lost it. Hopefully folks thot the shaking and tears were sorrow. Ten years later we still howl at the memory.
Oh I love that story!!
This is beautiful. ❤️💔❤️
So terribly sorry for your loss! I feel like you and your mom could write a book about Steven.
I remember when a good friend died, how healing it was to share memories. I could have sat there for 24 hours, just saying every little thing I remembered about her. Thank you for sharing these.
Thank you for sharing this candid photo and the memories that are popping out right now. It's an honor to know Steven a little bit through your stories. There will be more memories -- memories you did know you had. May you slowly uncover each and every one, keeping his memory with you for always. 💓 My thoughts and prayers continue.
I’ve been waiting for this. Like many people, I sort of feel like I know your family and have watched you all grow up from your mom’s books. Never mind that I was reading my mom’s books, and am only Steven’s age. Steven’s age. 😢 We’re living in the ME now and the scenario of flying home to a funeral is my nightmare. As the Arabs would say, God strengthen you. God give you patience.
This is so beautiful, Emily ❤️ When I tuned into the live funeral for Steven, you were just walking up to speak. I sat on my couch and cried, feeling such sadness for your family's grief. But I thought your tribute to him was beautiful, as this is. Praying for God's nearness, comfort, and peace through the hard days ahead. And may your brother's memories keep you smiling.
Waking up every day and realizing he is gone is the hardest part. Even now, years later, something funny will happen and I will want to call my brother and tell him. Or I’ll see something that’s perfect for him and almost buy it and then remember.
I’m glad that you are with your family and that you’re able to take care of each other right now.
Thank you Emily. All I can do is cry with you and think about my brother's sudden death and also all the memories of that trip to Kenya together and how I kept calling him Kevin instead of Steven. He was so fun to be with on that trip. I'll never forget him.
Thank you for this, Emily. And thank you for your tribute about Steven yesterday at the funeral. The Kenya connection was so important. His early years in Kenya obviously played an important role in his life— in shaping the man he became. I am so glad you and your dad were able to spend that precious time with him, as a grown man, in his native country. He was a special person—- I can feel that. With the love your whole family shares with each other and with Jesus, I am hoping the sting of grief will be softened.
I laughed and cried through this post. Praying for you and Amy and the rest of your family during this next stage. ♥️
Oh Emily! Your descriptions took me right back to eleven years ago when my mom died very unexpectedly in her sleep. It is such a surreal experience to suddenly be plunged into the other side of funerals! May God continue to give you grace as you laugh and cry and remember and go on living another day without your brother. ❤️
Your words took me right back to the whirlwind that was my own brother’s funeral, 13 years ago. He was 18, and I was 12. I don’t know what it’s like to experience that loss as an adult, but hopefully you have a lot more resources to deal with & work thru it than I did.❤️ No one can ever really be fully prepared for that tho, I’d think. Praying for you and your family in the days ahead.
I enjoyed reading this post, and also loved your tribute at the funeral, which I watched live. Praying for you and yours!