Bradley and Cindy with Madison and Wyatt
One year ago today, my husband's cousin, Bradley, was killed in the line of duty. He was shot and killed while protecting others. Bradley, an amazing father, husband, police officer, brother, son, family member...the list goes on and on - died a hero.
We question why a life is ripped away from a sweet, young family that adored and needed him. We search for the good that comes from a tragedy and we struggle to make sense of his loss. We weep when participating in his funeral and when driving miles to his burial with streets lined with local residents waving flags in his honor. We stand listening to the police department's "last call" broadcast his radio call number for the last time with no response and sob watching his fellow police officers' reactions to his passing. We grieve. We miss. We don't understand why it happens. It's hard to comprehend the importance of this tragedy.
A year later, Bradley's death continues to teach me so much about life and living.
Bradley's death ignites a heightened awareness that we are only here for a short time. There's not time to stay mad and hold grudges, to go to bed mad or to hang on to anger. We need to forgive, forget and move forward.
Loss teaches compassion. Our society wants to put forth the image of perfection while masking problems. Yet our problems bring us closer towards the suffering and pain of others. Through this loss, we understand that many people are facing battles inside. People are grieving. It may not be reflected on the outside but know that Bradley's wife longs for her husband's kiss goodnight, his daughter longs to be lifted up and swung in her daddy's arms, his son longs for his dad to chase his little buddy around the house ending in a tight hug, his mom longs for her son's chair to be filled at the Thanksgiving table and his family all miss his him dearly...every day.
We don't know the challenges people face, the losses they've experienced nor how some people are surviving. We live in a world of hurts, pains and illnesses that are not visible to the eye. Everyone has a story. Everyone has gone through something that has changed them. Give people slack. Extend patience. Give strangers who seem rude, grace. Be kind anyway. Smile anyway. Love anyway. Show honest compassion.
'Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.' - Philo of Alexandria
My words can't do justice to honoring this great life of Bradley's but I can step out into this world with more love and compassion in his honor. We celebrate Bradley's life with a renewed sense of purpose, kindness, sympathy and understanding.
Bradley, thank you for your sacrifice, for leaving this world a better place and for reminding us of what matters most now. You will always be our hero.
Bradley's son, Wyatt.
