Dawn Bryan

10 years ago, our family was all getting ready to meet up in Atlanta for Thanksgiving. Then we got the phone call that turned our worlds upside down, telling us that we had lost you.

Here we are again, all getting ready to meet up at our home for Thanksgiving. And the Paul-sized hole at the table feels even bigger than it did at that horrible Thanksgiving 10 years ago. Because we know the space would be filled by all of the rich life you would have lived these past years. You probably would be married, have kids, and deeply full from all the crazy, life adventures that shaped you.

We miss you so much and it’s especially hard watching the boys grow up without having (who would’ve been without a doubt) their most fun uncle in their lives.

We’ve all found ways to hold you close, like keeping this photo as my phone background for the past 10 years. And God has provided us what we’ve needed to keep going, like giving us Raf on the date He did so we get to celebrate the joy of life the day before we remember the deep pain of your death.

It hasn’t gotten easier.. but we will keep going. And we know the best way we can honor you is to live out the last words in the letter that you left for us... “Just remember to love those that are around you. Everyone is hurting and needs love. They need to be able to see the hope that Jesus offers. We are the vessels that Christ has picked to spread His name. Love others and smile. Be Jesus to someone today. Look for God in everything that you do”.

I love you, Paul and can’t wait to see you again 💛