From Lindy

Hi faithful blog readers,

Well, you have ridden the roller coaster with Ben through these last
six months. We are thankful for your support and dedication.

When Ben was four or something similar, and Tim was over two, we went
to have lunch with some people we hardly knew who had no children. We
had a vigorous and challenging lunch time as we tried to navigate both
boys through suitable table manners for the lowish tolerance level of
'two income no kids' types. As soon as Ben had finished eating he was
off and away, charging all over the house. The husband said to me as
he watched our little human canonball 'Ben will break arms…but that
one, Tim, he will break hearts.' Ben hasn't broken anyone's arm as far
as I know but he sure has broken plenty of hearts during this time.
But what we feel is not the hopelessness and despair of a broken
heart. It is a great sorrow infused with unquenchable hope. Every day
despite the sorrow and the missing him I find it so easy to be
sincerely grateful for so many things about the way he lived and the
way he died.

My prayer is still 'may none of it have been in vain.'

It's a cliché to say that life goes on. But now I am living it and am
so glad it's true because that's how we keep going. On the day of
Ben's funeral there was a baby boy born to people Ben knew
well and a day earlier another baby was born, also to acquaintances of
Ben. Today we went to a wedding full of Ben's friends rejoicing and
celebrating together. Ben would have been there and had already sent
his 'apologies' to Jess and Lachy a few weeks ago, knowing that he
wouldn't be there. It is lovely being able to enjoy the continuing
celebration of life even when we don't feel we are able to actively
participate yet.

The brothers are travelling well and as people who have travelled
similar paths keep reminding us, we are looking after each other and
regard it as the most important thing we have to do today and
tomorrow.

I hope you have a blessed Christmas.