Good morning. I’ve been wanting to write this post for some time but struggled with what to say. This space is so important to me and I value the community we have built. In fact, it’s because of the strong community that many of you have reached out wondering if everything is ok. It’s like you knew it wasn’t. I have posted less than usual and some have noticed my tone is slightly different.
Our family is no stranger to loss and grief. Unfortunately, it’s something we’ve been experiencing far too often. The past few months have been extraordinarily difficult for my husband’s family. On Monday we tragically lost his brother. At only 47, he still had so much life ahead of him. Cancer stole that from him. It was a brief but trying battle and he was a valiant soldier. He fought like no other. His wife was a warrior and loved him fiercely through this trying time. Her strong faith and commitment to love gave her the strength to be a bright light each day. My husband stepped up as an amazing advocate for Rob and I am so very proud of him. Having lost my brother, I feel his loss. The past few weeks have been excruciating on so many levels.
family farm
No parent should lose their child. My heart aches for both my mother-in-law and father-in-law. We were able to spend some time with them as they traveled here to see their son. May God ease their pain and wipe their tears.
My son will no doubt feel his Uncle cheering him on at the ice rink. Rob was a huge supporter of his passion for hockey. He now has the best seat in town. My daughter will miss him spoiling her with gift cards to shop. He definitely knew the way to her heart.
His family and friends will miss his smile. It literally lit up a room.
God often speaks in whispers. Usually, that is the way I hear him. For our family, it has felt like a giant roar. The message is abundantly clear. Life is fragile. Life is short. Love your people. That is the beginning and the end. Love your people with all of your might.
I plan to dive back into my creative side as it has always been a source of joy. Thank you for your patience and for you understanding. Most of all, thank you for showing up.
I am so terribly sorry for your loss, Courtney. I will be praying for your husband’s family and for yours during this time. May the God of all comfort be near and help you each day.
So sorry for this tremendous loss in your family. Sometimes there are no words.
Courtney, I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. You all have been through so much grief. I love to read your blog for your beautiful design ideas, but I wanted to comment on this to let you know that your heart and thoughtfulness shine through in your writing and make your space such a meaningful one. I’m sorry for what you all are going through, and I’m sending prayers to your family ❤️
Courtney, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
Georgette
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers & hugs your way!
Beautifully stated. Sorry for your loss. I lost my husband 3 months ago, he can never be replaced nor forgotten. Life can be cruel, as you know, I just hold onto the memories & try to continue on, always holding a place in my heart.
My heart and prayers go out to you and your entire family as they navigate this great loss.
Oh I am so sorry for your loss, Courtney. My heart goes out to you and your family. You are a bright light and we will all be here when you are ready to come back. Take time to heal and know that you and your family are in my prayers!
I’m so so sorry for the hole in your heart Courtney. Praying for your family during this difficult season. God bless you all.
I am so deeply sorry. You have experienced many losses these last few years my heart aches for the sorrow you and your family are feeling. All my love to you.
So sorry for your family’s loss. May God give you all the love, strength you need. Yes, cherish each day and those dear to you!
Courtney, I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss. Thank you for reminding us how fragile life is.
So so sorry for your loss. 🤍
I wish so many people understand that stuff is less as important as loving your tribe. It is a hard lesson to learn. Praying for peace that passes all understanding
So very sorry for your loss and will keep your family and your husband’s family in my prayers.
Courtney I am so sorry. Please tell your husband that he and his whole family are being lifted up in prayer. Praying the comfort that comes from our faith for all of you.
And thank you for the reminder to treasure each day.
Courtney,
I am very sorry. When I heard Rob passed, my heart ached. I have been praying for him for some time now. Ryan was a year behind me throughout grade school and high school and I adore your mother in law, Sue. I see Ryan’s dad at the gym all the time and he is such a lovely man. I cannot imagine this pain. Rob’s smile is the first thing I think about when someone mentions his name. He will be greatly missed. Condolences to the family.
I too missed your posts and sensed something was not right. I hoped that you were enjoying life so much that you’d report in when you had a quiet moment and fill us with the goodness you always had to share with us.. Everyday without your grateful, positive messages I felt like it was up to ME to remind myself that I have so much to be grateful for, whether your posts were there to remind me or not. It was sort of like a “what would A Thoughtful Place do in this situation? Even when I complain, and I do about the simplest of things, I am quickly reminded that I have nothing to complain about and everything to celebrate. I am so sorry for all the loses you and yours have endured over the years I have “known” you. They say God doesn’t give you burdens you can’t endure. When you and your family ask why, please find some solace and strength in the lesson you set by example for those of us who can see the grace you are certainly blessed with. If all of our thoughts can help you in some small way you will know you are so blessed…
Thinking and praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Sending you virtual hugs, may God bless you with His strength and peace.
We just buried my husband’s cousin, a very experienced boater who lost his life in a very tragic boating accident. It has been incredibly difficult watching his parents bury and mourn him. I pray your husband and family find peace….that we all may find peace.
So sorry to hear you’ve lost another loved one in your family. Praying that you and your family are feeling God’s comfort and peace. Give yourself some grace in getting through this difficult time. Condolences to your family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending comfort to you and your family.
I am truly so sorry and send love and prayers to your family as you begin to heal from this huge loss. I have no doubt that the grace and strength that you have had to lean on in the past will not let you down. Take all the time you need to be there for your family. ❤️
So sorry for your and your family’s loss. 🙏🏻 Cancer is a horrible disease.
I am so sorry for your loss., Courtney. Taken too soon.
Courtney – so very sorry for the loss to you, your beautiful family, and all of the your extended family. This past year has stolen so much from so many. You are so right, life is not to be taken for granted and we aren’t promised tomorrow so it is so important to make the most of our time today. I always get so much from your blog – you are such an inspiration on so many levels – but most of all, for your love, compassion, and caring nature. Sending prayers to all of you.
Courtney I’m so sorry for your loss…I pray for your husband and his parents🙏🏼💔
May each of you feel peace, comfort and love through all of our combined prayers. Sending you lots of virtual hugs. xoxo
I’m so sorry.
Thank you for sharing and for the beautiful reminder. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sending you and your family much love. So sorry for you loss.
I am so sorry for your loss. May you and your family be comforted with happy memories during this sad time.
Courtney, I am so sorry for you and your family. Our Lord knows your pain and He’s there to comfort you. I’ll be praying for all of you. Hugs💕
Oh my goodness, I am so very sorry, Courtney! I had been wondering why you had been a little quiet lately and a bit worried, but I was hoping maybe you were just busy with the kid’s schedules. I am heartbroken to read that your family has endured this terrible loss. 2021 has been a such difficult year so far. I will keep you in my prayers ~ for strength and peace. Take one day at a time! Hugs to you!
You are right that you have a supportive community here. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Sending your family prayers.
You have had a tremendous amount of hurt deluge your family in recent years. Yet you never sound bitter in the midst of your pain and grief. Such a profound lesson and example to set for all. You are a class act. May God hold your family in his grace.
I’ve never seen Courtney bitter and she has handled her/our grief with such grace. She is a treasure of a daughter-in-law and I so appreciate her tribute to my other son.
Grandma Sue
Dearest Courtney,
I am so very sorry for your family’s loss of your brother in law. My tears are for you all and for the first hand knowledge I have of losing someone to cancer. May God bless you with wonderful memories of a life well lived.
Much love and many prayers, Nancy
Praying for your family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry Courtney. We are praying for your sweet family.
May he Rest In Peace and I hope all of your wonderful memories of him will help you all through this sad time. Condolences to you and yours.
I’m so sorry to hear this about your brother-in-law. Sending lots of love to your family during such a difficult time. I’m a long time reader and my heart goes out to all of you.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing always!! 💙💙💙
I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a wonderful person. Prayers & love for you & your family.
Praying that God sends you the same sweet comfort and support that you so unselfishly provided your Open Arms people. (We can only imagine how beautiful and magical it is for him to step on the ice, in heaven.)✨ 🏒🥅✨
I a m so sorry for your loss. It is so hard. (((hugs)))
I’m so very sorry for your family’s loss. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!
Courtney, my heart goes out to you and your family. It is so true that life is fragile and we should not take it, or our loved ones, for granted. Sending love…💕
So very sorry for your family’s loss Courtney. Sending you hugs and wishing you strength as you move through this difficult time.
Oh man. I’m so very sorry for your family and your great loss. My heart goes out to you. When it rains it pours. May happy memories and the love of family and friends help you through this. 🙏🏻💗
Praying for your family as you mourn this loss of someone so special.
May God’s comfort, strength, and peace surround you. 💗
Ah my friend, I am so so sorry for your loss.
This truly breaks my heart knowing all the pain you have been through as a family. We pray for your strength and comfort x
So very sorry to hear this. Your family has been through so much these past few years. May the memories together bring you peace as you navigate this loss.
Your beautiful words brought me to tears. I’m so sorry for your husband and family.
I have missed your posts. I’m sorry to read about your family’s loss. Hugs to you and prayers for comfort for your grieving loved ones.
Oh Courtney, I am so very sorry. Cancer is such a thief. I lost my 17 year old son to cancer. I’ve had to watch my daughter go on without her best friend and become an onlly child. My heart goes out to you and your husband and the whole family. Please know that I’m praying for peace that only He can give. Sending a huge hug. I hope you can feel it. ❤️
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss.
Prayers to you and your family.🙏
So very sorry you’ and your family have lost a loved one . Sending you all love across the miles.
So so sorry for your family’s loss, Courtney. Praying for all of you and wishing you all a break fro m so much loss. Just so hard. Hugs and love.