Happy Birthday Kai! I cannot believe it’s been 5 years since God took you home. In some ways it feels like 10 years. In other ways it feels like it was just yesterday. I can easily imagine what you’d look like. All your siblings look alike! SO, it’s not too hard to picture your face at 5. If you were still with us this would be your last summer before starting kindergarten. That’s hard to imagine! I guess you’d want a Spiderman backpack…maybe Thor…maybe Batman.
We’re at the beach again this year. It seems to be good for our family to spend this week out of town, together, with each other, without the busyness of life. It gives us time to focus on how precious our family is. It is a reminder of how unpredictable life can be. We miss you. Our family never feels complete. When we’re out somewhere and we do a head count before leaving, it always feels like we’re missing one. We are. We are missing you. You’re not with us.
We know God’s Word is true. We know God is faithful. We know we will see you once again. We know you are doing just fine. But wow, we sure miss you! Our whole family misses you. Your older siblings talk about you often. We’re glad for that. We don’t want them to ever forget you. Your little sister, Karis Lynn, doesn’t know about you. It’s strange to think that if you were still with us, she wouldn’t be here. That brings up a mixed bag of emotions. There’s sorrow and joy combined. She’s not you. You are you. As strange as it sounds, I’m glad she wasn’t a boy. It would be too tempting to feel like she replaced you.
It’s been a whirlwind of a year. We’ve moved to Pell City. We’re now at Cropwell Baptist Church. You would LOVE IT! There are so many kids your age! There are some amazing folks here that love on your siblings and would do the same to you. We’re thankful to be with this group of people.
Happy Birthday little man! Since becoming a Christian, I have always looked forward to Heaven. After losing you, I look forward SO MUCH more! I wonder what you’ll look like when I see you. A newborn baby, a grown man…I’m not sure. Right now I can only picture you as a 5 year-old.
Enjoy your day. We’ll hopefully be letting off balloons like we do each year. It is meaningful for all of us. It helps us feel connected to you. The kids each write a note to you. It helps all of us in our healing.
I love you. I miss you.
Dad
A Pastor's Thoughts 