My Absence

You've probably noticed I haven't posted in a while. My last post was on March 30, 2007 the day my life changed. My older brother who had been battling what we thought was depression for almost two years had just been diagnosed as bi-polar. We were grapling with this new diagnosis, trying to figure out what it meant for him and his family going forward. He too, was struggling, seeing life as he had known it spiraling away from him. In the early morning hours of March 30, he gave up the struggle and took his own life.

To say these last two weeks have been traumatic would be an understatement. The grief and heartache at first were overwhelming for my family and for his wife and kids. As we progressed through the week--with seven individual wake services for him, the love that was expressed to my family was incredible. Some who approached me said, "I'm sorry." Some said, "You have my sympathy." Most simply said, "I love you." It was what I told my mom and dad when I called them after finding out on Friday. "I love you."

I ask your prayers for my family, my mom and dad, my brother's wife and kids, for my sister and her family, my family, and his in-laws and friends. It has been a difficult time for all as we sort out what went wrong, why nothing we did or tried worked, and how and where we go from here. It is one of those times in life that I become very grateful for the amazing friends and family that I have. They never let me forget that I am loved, and that is making all the difference.

Tell someone today... RIGHT NOW that you love them. They need to know, and you might not have tomorrow to tell them.

Peace to all,

Staci Stallings