Grief is a powerful force. It can be fuel for destruction or for resurgence. I’ve noticed that the greater the love and admiration you have for someone, the more suffocating the loss can be.  But, oh what a mark those people that we love and lose leave on our lives.

I know this grief personally and deeply. Everything in my life changed on Thanksgiving Day 2014 when my family received the call that my brother David had been killed in Afghanistan – only two days before he was to come home for the holidays. The next three years would prove to be devastating for our family. Every day was marked by grief, anger, sleepless nights, and pain hard to put into words. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that my brother was not coming home; I struggled every day to accept it. (Quite frankly, I still do.) During that time, I knew I had to find an outlet, some way to deal with the loss while still keeping my brother alive in my heart. I clung to people who knew him, or knew people like him, in hopes that they could understand what I was going through. Somehow, I felt these connections would help me through my grief. I also felt that I needed to do something, something to honor David.

David lived a bold life.  He was courageous, strong, brave, compassionate, and full of life. He was someone you could count on. Someone you wanted to be around.  Someone who wouldn’t give up. What an honor to get to be a part of continuing his legacy – a privilege to keep the fire alive that burned brightly in him.

I invite you to join us for a HARD HITTER GO RUCK event to remember David and to pay tribute to the many men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Sincerely,

Lisa