Special Layout

Today would've been my brother's birthday and I wanted to share a layout I made since he was on my mind.



Journaling:


Born 3 weeks late and with encephelocele. You weren't supposed to make it and we were guaranteed you would not see your 5th birthday. The doctors advised Mom and Dad to put you in a home and forget you existed. Instead, they brought you home and cared for you with everything they could, powered by their immeausurable love for you. They pressed on as long as they could, finally realizing that you needed more medical attention then they could provide in our modest apartment. They did put you in a home but they never, ever forgot you. We visited you as often as we could, we prayed for you every day. Melanie and I grew up always knowing life with a disabled brother. Because of this, compassion and sensitivity have been grounded so deep in our hearts. We were told more times then I could remember that you were not going to survive. Because of this, we were always waiting, always expecting it. And when it finally happened, when you were just 18 years old, I think we all felt the hole that was your absence almost immediately. When you spend 18 years preparing to lose someone, and then it happens, you feel like "....now what....?" There is a whole part of your life that is over and you knew it was coming but once it has, part of you is missing. We weren't sad for you because we knew your life was painful. We knew that you were now in heaven, perfect and whole and in the loving arms of our Savior. We rejoiced for you. But for us....there was an emptiness. The only comfort was knowing that your life was not in vain. You taught us to be more gentle and compassionate, you brought our family together in times when we were most broken, you changed the lives of countless people who came to know you during your time on earth. You made a difference in this world. And now I look forward to seeing you in heaven. I am so curious what you look like in your perfect form. What will your voice sound like? Will I recognize you by your eyes or your smile? I know I will have stories for you. Will you have stories for me? Will you remember our quiet times together, when I would whisper to you how much I loved you? Will you be able to tell me what life was like for you? Will you have forgotten? Something tells me that none of that will matter though. Because what I am most looking forward to, on that day when we reunite in heaven, is seeing you run - strong and free.


Credits:


Naturally You papers, Cool Buckles, Cool Buttons by Corina Nielsen (www.thedigishoppe.com)
Felt corner, Stitches, Jazzy Snazzy Blooms by Gina Miller (www.ginamillerdesigns.com)
Grosgrain ribbon by Heather Ann Melzer (www.heatheranndesigns.com)
Polaroid by Gina Cabrera (www.digitaldesignessentials.com)
Jewelry tag by Michelle Coleman (www.scrapartist.com)
Paper tear by Steph Krush (www.digitalpapertearing.com)
Drop shadow actions by Traci Murphy (www.tracimurphydesigns.com)
Fonts: FG Script Elegant, AL Sandra, AL Old Remington