RAEofsunshine:Your Daily Brew: Thankful for my baby brother, Braxton Avrie Curlee

November 2: Today I'm thankful for my baby brother, Braxton Avrie Curlee. On October 1, 2003 at exactly 6:43 p.m. a handsome 8lb 11oz baby boy entered this world. Words can not express the joy we felt to have a new baby boy in the family. On October 6, 2003 our lives drastically changed. We then became the legal guardians to this precious little boy. There are no words to describe how we felt at this time...pain, sorrow, depression...then there's joy because we have a little brother. It wasn't easy, but with the help of God and literally the entire town of Corinth, we made it through this tragedy.

It has been 9 years and we still don't know why God chose to take a loved one from us, but we find peace in knowing that He makes no mistakes. There are days when I completely break down and I think that's perfectly fine. I'm not one to keep my emotions bottled in...plus it's not good for you :) I know there are days when my mom looks to heaven and asks Kim whey she had to leave because Braxton has set up some trap around the house! But through it all, I can now say we have peace. We will never understand why, but as Christians our job is to have faith that all things happen for a reason...no matter how bizarre those things may seem.

So today I am thankful for my baby brother. Sometimes I hate living away from him because I miss out on sooo much. Other times I'm content because we would probably kill each other! These past nine years have been full of love, fights, tears, bruises, and many firsts, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Baby brother, please stop growing for just a few years so I can catch up with you! I want you to know that you have brought us so much joy. I wish your mother was here to see all that you have accomplished in just nine years, but I know for a fact that she is smiling down from above. I pray that you grow into a God fearing gentleman who always acknowledges Christ as the head of your life. I pray that others see the love of Christ through your actions. I pray you treat everyone with dignity and respect, knowing that God made us all equal. Never take a day for granted, for we know, that tomorrow is not promised. Mama Kim would be SO proud!

I have loved you since conception and I always will,

Your big sister