Brad's Birthday

Two weeks and three days ago my brother and I were discussing tuxedo rentals, the birthday card he just received from our family, and the Super Bowl. Two weeks and two days ago a collision changed the tone of all our conversations. There have been many milestones since that day of Brad's accident. When Brad made it through the first night we were witness to a miracle of survival. When day three passed we watched my brother become more responsive to stimulation tests. By day ten we were made aware that his pupils were dilated at normal levels. On day 11 he opened his eyes. But today may be the most significant milestone to me personally. You see two weeks and two days ago I wondered if he would survive long enough to make it to his next birthday. None of our family planned out sending out Brad's birthday card early this year so that he would receive it the day before his accident; we could not have known. Matter of fact, I'm usually the guy that gets you the card the day after (sometimes later)! But my wife was on a mission this year and it was to make sure we didn't get February birthday cards out late again! Thanks to her, and my accidental early mailing, Brad was able to receive, read, and thank us for his card. One day before the accident. So today is a significant milestone because today is Brad's 29th birthday. I'm sure he would rather spend it somewhere more exotic or more backwoods country, but his current accommodations will do for us! His prognosis has yet to change and there have been no significant changes in the last few days, but today is a day to celebrate. I suppose not simply for the fact that my brother was born on this day during some hour in 1982, but that there is still life to live. Life unknown, but life to live. Part of me is thoroughly ecstatic that my brother, at the moment, is not consumed with the thoughts that many of us are weighted down by everyday. Thoughts that rob us of life. Worry, fear, gossip, greed, ambition, jealousy, worthlessness, and many others. Consumed with paying bills for things that wither away. Consumed with accomplishment and becoming important. Struggling with only seeing "can't" instead of "can". Becoming a master of the art of surviving while their dreams and promises fade away. My brother has been stripped down to a place in which all that exists for him are hopes, dreams, promises, and a future. What may even be more tragic than my brother's accident is that it often takes such circumstances for us to recognize that we are allowing the robbery to happen. Maybe our own robbery is even robbing others? Maybe we need to be stripped away from what we hold valuable to reevaluate the valuable? My hopes are that this isn't the process needed for you to see clearly that you have been granted life. You've been granted dreams and promises. Maybe your choices are leading you to the wrong destination? Maybe you are at a destination that wasn't by choice? Regardless of the way, when stripped down, when separated from the weight of this world, things seem to become much more freeing. So today is Brad's birthday. A day to celebrate the day he was born and given life. No material can equate to or pay more dividends than the gift of life. A day that he can celebrate the simplicity of life and count it pleasurable to breathe. No need for fancy paper to try to dress up what is underneath! Happy Birthday, lil brother! I pray that your life gives life to others!