Brent Nason's Birthday

Today is the birthday of a very special angel. This wonderful, amazing angel would have been 14 today and he is celebrating this day in Heaven with our Lord and Savior.

I first found Brent on Caringbridge several years ago and my heart was captured by him and his family. Their faith in God is unshakeable and remained so throughout his battle with Neuroblastoma. I had talked to Brent right before and then right after Christmas three years ago and I will never forget him telling me how much he enjoyed his Ernest Goes To Camp movie. He said, "Miss Sue, They are SUPER HILARIOUS!" I can still hear it so clearly. He also encouraged me to visit and said that he would like to meet anyone who is praying for him. So, I had to go. I tried to win the money to get from Missouri to Memphis at bingo but lost and was very upset. My son Kevin said "Well, lets go." I told him I didnt have the money to get there and then we argued about him paying for the trip because he said he would and I didnt want to take his money. He won around 2 am by saying that he was done arguing with me and that he was getting up at 5 and going to Memphis and if I was going I would be in the car. We got up and went at 5 am. He held my hand all the way there and I cried all the way there because I was just so overwhelmed both at my son's giving heart and by the prospect of finally meeting the boy who had come to mean so much to me. I had no idea how much this visit would impact my life.

When we got to St. Jude Brent and his Mother, Tonya, were sleeping so we chatted with his Dad, Link, for a bit. Seeing Brent took my breath away, he was such a beautiful boy! I was prepared for him to look bad but he was just beautiful. Kevin and I left the room and toured the hospital while Brent and his Mom were sleeping and the place was just amazing. After an hour or so we went back to the room and waited in the hall while his parents bathed him. We took a movie for him and his brothers, and some fudge for everyone. We finally got to visit with Brent and his family and the whole event was life changing. Tonya was the epitome of what a Mother is, she was loving and strong, and a woman of true faith. Brent told her while we were there that she was the most beautiful thing ever put on this earth and he meant it with every fiber of his being. Link was such a patient and loving man. He sat close to Brent ready to suction if needed and the worry lines on his face were deep. The love on both their faces when they looked at their son was palpable. While we were there Brent sang "I Love You Lord" in a voice thick with sleep but so beautiful. I have several renditions of that song now although I had never heard it before that day. Then Brent said something that put so many things in perspective for me, he said, "Lord, I just want to thank you for everything you have given me." He said it with such conviction. What was wrong with me that I was worried about silly things all the time and not taking the time to thank him for the blessings in my life? Why was I looking for or expecting blessings when I wasnt being one myself?

When the visit was over and my son and I left the building and were walking to the car I asked him if the experience was worth his paycheck. He said, "Mom, it was worth every penny!" Then he asked me if I "felt that in there." I told him I felt so much right then and asked what he felt. He said, "I felt God!" I told him I felt it as soon as I entered the building and he said, "Yeah, but it was so strong in Brent's room, He was all over that boy!" He was so right. There was a presense in that room that could never be described. I had never heard Kevin say anything like that before so I guess it changed him too.

Brent won his battle to get to Heaven and finally see God's face two days later. The gifts Brent and his family gave us is immeasurable and precious. For quite some time after he gained his wings I struggled with so much guilt. I believe that we are all here with a purpose and I worried that his purpose was to lead me to Christ and since he had done that, I was the reason his parents could no longer hold him. I guess I was being selfish but it hurt so much. He was an absolutely amazing child and the ripples he has made will continue to impact others. It wasnt just me he was here to change, I have told the story of his journey to so many and they are all impacted by it so his purpose continues. Thank you Tonya and Link for sharing Brent with so many and for showing us all a faith so strong and unwavering. You have both been a blessing.

Find out more about Brent by visiting:
http://www.caringbridge.org/ms/brentnason/ or
http://nason5.blogspot.com/

Find out more about Neuroblastoma by visiting:
https://www.nbhope.org/Default.aspx