08/21/2012

Ten years ago today my friend Tonya did probably the hardest thing she has ever had to do. Ten years ago today the doctors induced labor for her and she delivered a son. A son they named Brenton Lee; a name his dad liked but Tonya wasn’t crazy about. Ten years ago today it didn’t matter to her; it was a name that had been given to her husband and he pushed for. Ten years ago today photos were taken; footprints recorded and good byes were said to the earthly body of an angel who had already gone to heaven two or three days before.

Ten years have passed since the doctor’s appointment where they found no heartbeat for the son who was almost due. A big brother never got to know the life filled touch of his little brother but he still wore his "big brother" t-shirt with pride. Nine years have passed since the little sister was born who only has heard about the baby who grew in her mom’s stomach before her but she never got to meet in person.

Brenton, your story broke my heart when I heard it. You have touched lives your parents have no idea of and once in a while you will be thought of just because you were the person who brought your mom and dad so much closer together. Happy Tenth Birthday Brenton Lee!

Tonya, Eric, Tristan and Briann, please know I haven’t forgotten Brenton’s story and now it is memorialized on his day for there is no hyphen in his "dates". Remembering to remember this date even after we have lost touch as I reread this.