Sunday, June 01, 2008

Happy Birthday

Today would have been Amy's 27th birthday. If she were still here we would be celebrating heartily, however, with her passing instead of celebrating we use this occasion to remember her. I've received a few emails and a couple of cards remembering Amy today and just wanted to say thank you to each of you who sent along a note of encouragement or a memory of Amy today. I spent the day with Amy's family, and much of it in an introspective mood, and we all shed a few tears along the way. Amy is not forgotten and she is still very much loved.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

I check this site every once in a while to see if there's any news. I am glad you enjoyed the memory of your dear Amy today. Thank you for sharing it. ~Jolene S., WI
I Cor. 15:35-58

Mayhem And Miracles said...

I too just stopped by to check on you and see how you are doing. What a special day I know you wish you could have celebrated much differently. But good for you that you still made it special nonetheless. Even to blog strangers who were privilged to get a glimpse of Amy's beautiful heart, she is missed. I know it must have been a hard day for you, but just think of how joyfully she celebrated her 27th, where time NEVER ends! I wish you and your precious little boy well!

Janice Phillips said...

You're still in my thoughts and prayers on a very regular basis.

Robin said...

Happy Birthday Amy!!!

Thanks for continuing to post a bit. it's still on my reader so we all know when that books comes out.

Anonymous said...

I'm always so glad to see when your site comes up w/a new post. I miss Amy.

Anonymous said...

My first thought when I checked in was how delicious that birthday watermelon must be up in heaven! I'm sure this was an incredibly difficult day for all of you, but glad you spent it together. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Anna Beckett

Anonymous said...

Just wanted you to know I said a quick prayer for you and the boy today after reading this. God bless you both!

Anonymous said...

We think of you and Gary often and continue to pray for stength and comfort. I'm glad you were with Amy's family on her birthday. What a very special time for all of you. We enjoyed seeing you a few weeks ago. Emily and Garrett talk about Gary and how they liked playing with him. He is such a cutie! We love you.
Kent & Susan Egger

Melissa Murphy said...

You are still in my thoughts and prayers often!!

Carey said...

I also check in on occasion to see how you all are doing. Hows the little one doing?

Dawn said...

I still think of her and you so often - thanks for keeping us updated whenever you can. She wa so young! And so wise.

Anonymous said...

Brandon, I was just thinking of Amy today and wanted to see if you had posted anything lately and was very glad to see that you had. I think of Gary so often and always when I think of him, I close my eyes and pray, "God please be with Gary, send him comfort and peace, help these days ahead and engulf him and Brandon with love as only you can." I am still praying and won't forget. With many prayers for healing and love and peace.
April Martin
Dixon

good_to_be_home said...

I'm shy in posting but I never knew Amy personally, but I wanted to still write something to say that I still remember her and how trusting she was in her heavenly Father.

Anonymous said...

I think of Amy often, as well as you and little Gary. I come hear hoping that the posts will be different, scroll back to find the encouragement that Amy so graciously gave the rest of us when she probably needed it the most. She will forever be young, in her 20s. She will forever leave a mark on all of us that shared moments of prayer and praise with her.

I miss your Amy. Happy Birthday, Amy!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Amy. I bet she did celebrate heartily!
Prayers for you and Gary and Amy's family.
~Gina Dunn

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry.
My sisters fiance has been diagnosed and its all a bit full on.

I hope you're as okay as you can be.

Tracy said...

The day of Amy's spiritual birth is the day that sealed her place with Jesus. What an amazing and gracious and loving and forgiving savior we have. To sacrifice his own self to make a way for us. Our redeemer and our friend. He has rescued her from his wrath and brought her into his presence. What a glorious day to celebrate her earthly birth but more so her spiritual birth. To know that you to are secure with our Lord as well must be what you hold on to and look forward to when you will see her again. Thank you Jesus for sending your son to all who put their faith in you. For we will never perish but will live. Life begins when we see his face and there is life before we die so long as we know him personally which she did.
I began a blog after my sister Tiffany Hansen showed me your blog and she began one of her own. We have decided to be bone marrow donors here in AZ and have passed all tests to help someone should the time come. In tribute To amy maybe we can bless someone's life as many folks blessed hers and yours. Happy birthday AMY! Thank you Brandon for keeping the world up to date with how life must go forward for both her and her family. Look to the hills where your only help comes. He is our rock and salvation.

Imajackson said...

I, too, think of you and Gary during this "year of firsts" after Amy's passing. I've been there, and the missing her gets sweeter and less sorrowful over time. It's hard for other people to understand, as they often equate your loss to a divorce. But your loss actually is a gain in some ways. If the Lord should ever bring about a new spouse, you will always love both women. It's as if Amy's passing created MORE ability to love in your future life. Love for Gary, Amy's family, your own family and so on. It seems counterintuitive, but it's God's good pleasure to make beauty from ashes.

Anonymous said...

Brandon,
Thank you for updating. Wasn't it your birthday pretty recently too? I still pray for you constantly. Please keep in touch.

Emily Baker

Kim said...

I know this must be a very difficult time for you all...I am remembering Amy, too and will continue to keep you all in my prayers!

I have her memorial service flyer hanging in my kitchen to remind me to pray for you, so each time I glance at it I pray that God's grace would be sufficient.

Jada said...

Thank you for letting us know how you are doing.I will be praying for you and your family.

Anonymous said...

I was so pleased to find this post when I popped in here today....I'm wondering how dear Amy celebrated. I cannot wait until your book is completed! Thanks for keeping us updated.

Sis. Julie said...

I too check this blog once in a while to see if there are any updates on how you and Gary are doing. You are all still in my prayers and thoughts. Amy touched so many lives and it is a touch that will last a long time to come. I'm thankful that you are thinking to update us now and then so we can know how things are going with you and the family.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am the Katie who posted awhile back to check on your sweet Amy. I'm the one who tried to commit suicide twice, once on the day Amy died. I asked myself a million times why she died and I didn't, when she wanted to live and I didn't.

I'm feeling much better now and have moved to Christian counseling which has helped a lot. I wish my husband were as loving and supportive as you are. You are a wonderful man and Amy is so lucky to have you...to have someone love her so unconditionally had to be such as blessing for her.

I know I am noone special, but Amy's story inspired me a lot and gave me will and hope that life is precious and should be treasured. I thank you for keeping her blog up because sometimes when I am feeling like I might go off the edge again, I can read Amy's words and God reminds me that I never battle alone.

Thank you,
Katie

Jen said...

The Lord brought you to mind today. I haven't been here for ages... not since January. The Lord prompted me to pray for you today. So I have. I hope that you are doing well.

Anonymous said...

Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers today.

Anonymous said...

Praying for Brandon, Gary and the Martin family on this day...

May the peace that passes understanding be with you all....

123 said...

Thinking of you all today.
Traci

Imajackson said...

I know this is late, but I remembered Amy's passing last week. So many of us were deeply impacted by her words as a blogger and a mother. Even now I think about her comments about heaven "as if I am studying about a foreign place I am to visit" or something similar. It struck me, and I am very thankful for her candor about her dying and new life in heaven. I can imagine you miss her more now then ever, as is common the second year after a spousal death. My very best to you and Gary, my prayers as well.

Anonymous said...

Praying for you a year on... I'm sorry I'm late with letting you know.

Anonymous said...

Just had to leave a comment and let you know I'm still thinking about you guys and remembering Amy.

Anonymous said...

Hi, Brandon. Glad to see you are still blogging occasionally. I will say another prayer for you and Gary today. Please keep us updated on the book you are working on and be sure to keep your strong faith.


God bless,

Erin in Ohio

Anonymous said...

It's about 10:10...and I am trolling the internet for something, but I'm not sure what. My son Jacob passed away 15 days ago. He was 2.5 years old. I believe in God, so I have peace about where he is...but I miss being a daddy. I love you son...I hope you know that.

Anonymous said...

I still think about you, Amy and your son. As I read your blog entries all the memories came flooding back! I hope and pray all is well with you and your precious son?

Blessing in Christ,

Angela

monicac2 said...

I still think about Amy! God bless the family!

Jen said...

I hope your Christmas and New years was precious. Still thinking and praying for you both.

Rita said...

I too just lost my husband Jimmy to colon cancer that matastasized to his liver. He passed on Dec.27th and I continue to try to keep my house, working three jobs and struggling very hard as 7 years and 11 months ago we were newly weds after both going through unwanted divorces. We had known each other as close freinds in our early 20's and 30's but had not seen each other since 1986. We married Jan19th 2001 and had a wonderful marraige so I guess thats why I miss his earthly presense so much. Sometimes I feel like I would just like for God to call me home to be with him, but I guess he's not finnished with me yet. My prayers are with you as we both try to find a way without our soul mates. Rita.Houston, Tx.

Anonymous said...

Are you still there? Are you doing okay? Wish you'd post again. We're praying for you. How's the book coming along?

Anonymous said...

couldn't sleep tonight thinking of you and Gary. Sorry I haven't been praying enough. I will do better. My heart is very heavy for you two and I ask God to carry Gary and bless him beyond all that we could ever do, I still think of you all often, I will give my best in prayer for you and Gary. My Jeremiah is just a few months younger than Gary so again, my heart yurns for Gary to have his mama. God knows that his plan is perfect, it just seems unbearable at times.
With love
April Martin
Dixon, MO

Anonymous said...

Still praying for you.
Can we have an update on how you and Gary are doing and if/when your book will be out?

Praying you feel God'd love and peace in your life.

Rachmat Tubagus said...

when i visit this blog and read, im so proud about your survive with leukemia. keep try to heal and only God can safe you!!!!

Jen said...

Praying for you (a couple of days late) as the anniversary of her birthday passes.