A terrible thing happened to good people again. My 13 year old friend Nathan Bradford took his own life on April 1st. My dear friend Lynn could not have been at her worst possible place when the next day her husband couldn't take this death he was dealt and went out and killed himself. How do you make sense of this -- you don't. So now a family of 5 has become a family of 3 and begin life all over again.
Nathan has been in Children's Theatre Program I work with each summer. He was one those Bradford Kids who always had a smile from ear to ear. He was a practicle joker and he was always one you had to remind "remember your lines." He was the kid we never thought we would get him settled down enough to do his thing on stage but it always worked. I often saw Nathan riding his bike all over Walla Walla -- it was just what he did. I can't even imagine not seeing him riding his bike this summer.
For Lynn I can't imagine waking up one morning and not being the mother of 3 but to 2 and then go to bed and wake up and not have a husband to help make these adjustments. Her whole world has been crushed.
There oldest daughter, only daughter, Shannon is a delight. She is in her senior year in high school and she is so proud and so enjoying being a senior. Why does this happen to her; why does her senior year have to be less happy. I just love Shannon nd that great smile on her face. I remember several children's theatre when her father came and watched his kids "he swelled in pride." Shannon always refers to him as her Daddy. How come a young lady in this part of her life have to say good by to her Daddy and her little brother.
They are strong, they have great faith in god and they will be ok. They will be supported by there church. I hope they find and feel the love the community of Walla Walla embraces them with. I love that family and will share Nathan and Kirk tomorrow. Pray for them, pray for all the children effected in our community by the death, and finally love your family a bit deeper today and always.
