Remember Nathan?

     You just know in your heart, when you've planted some flower seeds and they start growing! Because of your vigilance in watering and necessary weeding, that seed turns into a beautiful flower and the pleasure in looking at it makes your heart so joyful, to see that God tends to all gardens. We are all farmers in our own right, as the seeds need our skill to dig and plant and weed and water. That's how I believe, God tends to the Garden of Our lives. The Nathan Raun Association is growing. Thanks to the tending planting of family and friends who recount his life with beautiful pictures and sweet memories for all to share and remember this sweet boy. 

     A while back, I wrote about an amazing young boy, named Nathan Raun. His story of struggle, suffering and trial amid the joys of birthday celebrations and ordinary daily events that took place as he lived his short life with cancer. I read on this site that was created specifically just for this. The Nathan Raun Association. Letting people know, that it is possible to surrender such a difficult time, for a friend, for a loved one, to our God, who is nothing but Love. The pictures and stories that appear for our eyes to read make us realize to be grateful. Do not sweat the small stuff and to see the courage of a boy and his family were met with true love and true surrender. Normality is what his family strove for. That's what he strove for. They knew all that was happening to this beloved child of theirs but still kept the focus on normality. Especially Nathan. How could this be? How can one take the severity of something and still continue to surrender? Especially a beloved child. One's Faith must be quite strong in order to do this and as I have seen with my own eyes, I can truly say yes, their faith is strong! Many many times I think about Nathan. About his mom and dad and family. And the little things that I deal with don't seem so big. Just as Theresa, the mama, would tell her son when he asked " why is this happening to me?" I picture her at that moment and think of how she hid her struggle long enough to tell him, "well, God must think you're strong enough to handle this" "or else he never would have given it to you ". Giving him the courage to keep going even though this was dire. This was a cross. A cross laid upon a 13 year olds shoulders. Yes, God must have thought this sweet boy could carry this heavy cross. It gives me comfort and strength to think of Nathan bearing this, along with his watching and loving family and it makes me stand erect and quit dwelling on the little trials that's so often I feel are so big. A trial is a trial. I know. But it's all in how that trial is dealt with. One can either have the surrender to be bitter, or one can have it be a true surrender, with Love and Trust that God is knowing what He's doing. Unless one does the latter, we will never see the goodness of the cross. 

     August 5th was Nathan's 41st birthday. He left us at the age of 13. His family celebrated. Just like they have since his passing. With every year since his death they've remembered him. The once asked question that he asked his mama one day, "will anyone remember me? . As it has proven, that the answer is obvious. He will always be remembered. No Nathan, you are not forgotten. Your life has brought you to 41 earthly years.  The memories that you have instilled in all of your loved ones will never ever be forgotten. He remains forever alive in Heaven and the angels are helping us sing "Happy Birthday!".