Prayers for an Angel

Last night I attended a viewing, and today I attended the funeral  - of a 2 1/2 year old little boy named Brayden Carr.  His dad, Jim, is a member of the Rutgers Basketball coaching staff, someone I've worked with for close to 10 years.  He's "survived" 3 coaching changes, a rarity in any sport.  Sadly, Brayden did not survive a battle he'd been fighting since he was only a few months old.  Below is a link you can click on for more information about Brayden and his amazing parents, Jim and Natalie.

http://www.nj.com/rutgersbasketball/index.ssf/2011/05/politi_rutgers_assistant_jim_c.html

As a colleague and friend of Jim's, I'm devastated for him and Natalie.  As a mother, I am just heartbroken.  And emotionally exhausted.  I'm a hyper-sensitive, emotional person to begin with, and cry for happy and sad things. I'm pretty sure even those not like me who attended last night or today cried at some point.  If I am this drained, how must Jim and Natalie be feeling?  And Brayden's grandparents, aunts and uncles? 

The turnout of people for this little boy was an amazing tribute to him and his family.  Former players, some playing pro basketball, came to pay their respects.  The flower arrangements from athletic departments and basketball teams from across the country was staggering - the line wrapped around the inside of the funeral home several times so we were able to read the many thoughts and prayers that were being sent to this family.  Jim got up to speak at the viewing last night, and said, "it's amazing that someone who never went to school could teach others so much.  It's amazing that someone who never uttered a prayer had taught people to pray."  Jim and Natalie handled themselves with such grace throughout this journey with Brayden, and for those of us who showed up to support and comfort them, we found ourselves comforted by the words and stories Jim shared last night.

The question I keep asking in my head, that I think everyone who's heard of a child dying has thought or asked, is "why?"  I picked up a prayer card at the viewing last night, but did not read it until I was home, having snuggled with my own little boy for as long as I could.  Here's what it the card said:

Little Angels

When God calls little children to dwell with Him above.  We mortals sometimes question the wisdom of His love.

For no heartache compares with the death of one small childe who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild.

Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to His fold, so He picks a rosebud before it can grow old.

God knows how much we need them, and so He takes but few to make the land of Heaven more beautiful to view.

Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try.  The saddest word mankind knows will always be "Goodbye."

So when a little child departs, we who are left behind must realize God loves his children.  Angels are hard to find.

The priest at the funeral today spoke about how when a young person dies, the thoughts we often have are of the "future" achievements that will never be. He then reminded us of the accomplishments that Brayden HAD made in his short time with us. He inspired people - players that Jim coached, people that knew the story and how hard this little boy fought while always maintaining a smile on his face, whose eyes could light up a room.  I'm sure this is small consolation to anyone who has lost a child, but it was a reminder to me that every life has a purpose.  Brayden's work as an angel on Earth was done; I hope he'll be watching over his mom and dad from Heaven, and giving them the strength they need.

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers, as well as one of God's newest angels, Brayden.