A special day…

Today is special.

I know, I know. It’s All Saints Day which is a pretty spectacular Solemnity, but it’s also the day Jerr and I had our monumental epiphany in regards to our sweet Courtney. .

If you’ve read my book “Be Brave in the Scared”, than you know the impact this day had on our family. It’s when we understood, in total, what had actually occurred in Lourdes four years before. Today is the day we knew without a doubt, Courtney had spoken her word of “acceptance”. .

Jerry and I give thanks to God and Our Lady for being so patient with us. I see in my minds eye, Courtney’s smile and giggle in response, when we told her that we understood what she had said and what she needed her parents to do to help her. What a gift this day was and continues to be to us.

15 years. November 1,2004. It sounds like a lifetime or three ago and yet, it feels like yesterday. This moment in time changed the landscape of our lives forever and put our family on a path that lead straight to the Cross and where we continue to stand in joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. .

Our daughter spoke one word in her authentic voice. One word in her entire life. .

“Acceptance”

May we take Courtney’s lead my friends. No matter what strife you are facing, what hardship or suffering you are walking through, what grief or hurt your heart is holding. May we accept the love and mercy Jesus has for us to bare it well, just like Courtney did. .

To God be the glory, now and forever. We love you sweet girl and miss you with every best of our hearts but we accept this part of Gods plan without reservation, for we know He knows all and we do not. One day, by the grace of God, we will be together again.