This is what my Daddy shared today. Love his willingness to be honest and vulnerable.
Nic, This is for you, my
son. I love you!
To know Nic, was to love Nic. Mischievous, smart, loving, honest, funny, athletic. And don’t forget stubborn, determined, and hard-headed. Nic was a bright shining light. That is how I will remember my son.
His decision to end his life leaves us with so many questions and so few answers. And answers may never come. The truth is… there were no signs. I don’t think anyone who knew Nic would have listed him as someone they thought would commit suicide. On the contrary, all the signs led us all to believe that Nic was excited about his life.
Questions with no answers.
Juanita and I have told many people on many occasions how FORTUNATE we are to have such awesome kids. We are very, very blessed. Nic’s sister Rachel and brother Brian share many of the same wonderful qualities that Nic expressed. Open, inclusive, nurturing, loving. To Rachel and Brian, thank you for choosing us.
Nic was fortunate to have many strong, loving adults in his life. Aunts, uncles, cousins, ministers, coaches, and teachers. We have often marveled at the good choices our kids made in picking their friends. And Nic was no exception. He has GREAT friends. From the bottom of our hearts, Juanita and I thank you. For your kindness and generosity, but mostly, mostly…for loving our son… and for helping him fulfill his purpose. Please know that our doors are always open to you.
Not only does he have great friends, but he picked friends with great parents. We have been fortunate to become friends with many of them. Thank you all for loving Nic, for encouraging him, coaching him, reprimanding him, and inviting him into his your lives as though he was your own. And thank you for surrounding us with your love and support.
To say that Nic’s decision rocked a lot of people is an understatement. And I’m sure that even at this time, I don’t fully grasp the impact of his life on this community. I look around the room here and see his family, friends, his friends’ parents, our friends, neighbors, co-workers, members of this and several other faith communities, teachers, and school staff. Nic touched a lot of lives! We are so grateful for your support. Words are inadequate to express our deep appreciation; we are truly, truly humbled by your kindness, your care, and your concern.
You have heard some wonderful tributes to Nic. Who he was, what he stood for, and how he changed peoples’ lives. My beliefs are probably a bit different from some of you. I truly believe what the banners in this church say “Many paths, One God”. So if your beliefs are different than mine, I honor you and your beliefs and I hope that you are able to hear me with an open heart. In Unity, we believe that there is only one power in the universe, and that power is God. That God, as Creative Universal Energy is Good, AND everywhere present. My personal belief is that before our spirit enters our body, we choose our lives. We choose our lives in order to learn the lessons of that life and move on toward transcendence and becoming Christ like beings.
I am SO grateful that Nic choose us. And I must tell you that Nic was very determined to enter our lives. At the time he was conceived, Juanita and I were going through a very difficult time. It was not a rosy time in the Pritchard household, so there were very few times he could have joined us, if you get my drift. On top of that, we were using birth control, so…Nic was really determined! He was not a planned child, but he was never, never an unwanted child. I am grateful that Nic choose us.
While the pain of missing him is sometimes almost unbearable, we take some small solace in the idea that Nic realized that his journey in this life was complete; that he fulfilled his purpose, and was ready to move on. This doesn’t take away the pain or the void he left behind, but I know that we must all release him on his journey. So Nic, my son, my teacher…I release you on to your next adventure and wish you Godspeed. I hope I’m lucky enough that our paths cross again.
I want to say a few words about Forgiveness. When someone makes a choice to end their life, all of those around him question what they could have done to reach out and change that decision. I know that many of us are doing just that. We must all remember that this was Nic’s choice. He didn’t reach out to any of us for help, he made a decision, and when Nic made a decision, he was single minded in his direction. He made a decision that his 17 year old brain thought was a good idea. Don’t beat yourself up, there was nothing you could do. And please keep reminding me not to beat myself up, there was nothing I could do. Let us allow forgiveness to fill our lives. Will you do that with me?
There is one thing that is troubling me. How can a 17 year old boy purchase a handgun at 1 o’clock in the morning? Let that sink in. Nic purchased a handgun around 1:00am on the morning he shot himself. Now, I don’t care what your beliefs are about your right to own a gun, the fact that Nic was able to purchase a handgun at 1 am is wrong. Do you know that in this country, we have more regulations on importing bananas than we do on importing guns? Let me say that again. We have more regulations on importing bananas than we do on importing guns. That’s just wrong!
Would more regulations have stopped Nic? Maybe not, but something is messed up when we worry more about bananas than handguns. Right now I am furious at the person who sold him a gun. There is part of me right now that longs to cause pain in that person’s life like the pain I am feeling.
I don’t like this desire that I have for revenge. It is unhealthy, unproductive, and only results in more pain. I will not allow revenge to rule my life. I WILL NOT allow revenge to rule my life! And I hope you won’t allow it to rule yours. One day, I will forgive this person. Not next week or next month, but I will forgive him. I declare that and I own that belief. I hope, I hope, I hope you will too. Please, please…allow forgiveness to fill your hearts.
In our church, we sing the Peace song every Sunday at the close of service. One line in that song is “Let peace begin with me”. Let Peace begin with me. I repeat that line to myself many times a day. Because peace doesn’t start over there somewhere, or in the Middle East, or in Washington. Peace begins with me. Peace begins with me. Will you repeat that with me? Peace begins with me. Breathe. Let’s say that again. Peace begins with me. We will only experience peace in our lives and in our world if we claim peace for ourselves and commit to sharing our peace with the world.
Peace. That’s what Nic wanted; he wanted people to get along. He was a uniter, a peace maker, a kind, gentle loving soul. He’s done that in my life and I know that he’s done that in yours. I beg of you to honor Nic and let Peace begin with you. Peace begins with me. Peace begins with you. Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with us.
To know Nic, was to love Nic. Mischievous, smart, loving, honest, funny, athletic. And don’t forget stubborn, determined, and hard-headed. Nic was a bright shining light. That is how I will remember my son.
His decision to end his life leaves us with so many questions and so few answers. And answers may never come. The truth is… there were no signs. I don’t think anyone who knew Nic would have listed him as someone they thought would commit suicide. On the contrary, all the signs led us all to believe that Nic was excited about his life.
Questions with no answers.
Juanita and I have told many people on many occasions how FORTUNATE we are to have such awesome kids. We are very, very blessed. Nic’s sister Rachel and brother Brian share many of the same wonderful qualities that Nic expressed. Open, inclusive, nurturing, loving. To Rachel and Brian, thank you for choosing us.
Nic was fortunate to have many strong, loving adults in his life. Aunts, uncles, cousins, ministers, coaches, and teachers. We have often marveled at the good choices our kids made in picking their friends. And Nic was no exception. He has GREAT friends. From the bottom of our hearts, Juanita and I thank you. For your kindness and generosity, but mostly, mostly…for loving our son… and for helping him fulfill his purpose. Please know that our doors are always open to you.
Not only does he have great friends, but he picked friends with great parents. We have been fortunate to become friends with many of them. Thank you all for loving Nic, for encouraging him, coaching him, reprimanding him, and inviting him into his your lives as though he was your own. And thank you for surrounding us with your love and support.
To say that Nic’s decision rocked a lot of people is an understatement. And I’m sure that even at this time, I don’t fully grasp the impact of his life on this community. I look around the room here and see his family, friends, his friends’ parents, our friends, neighbors, co-workers, members of this and several other faith communities, teachers, and school staff. Nic touched a lot of lives! We are so grateful for your support. Words are inadequate to express our deep appreciation; we are truly, truly humbled by your kindness, your care, and your concern.
You have heard some wonderful tributes to Nic. Who he was, what he stood for, and how he changed peoples’ lives. My beliefs are probably a bit different from some of you. I truly believe what the banners in this church say “Many paths, One God”. So if your beliefs are different than mine, I honor you and your beliefs and I hope that you are able to hear me with an open heart. In Unity, we believe that there is only one power in the universe, and that power is God. That God, as Creative Universal Energy is Good, AND everywhere present. My personal belief is that before our spirit enters our body, we choose our lives. We choose our lives in order to learn the lessons of that life and move on toward transcendence and becoming Christ like beings.
I am SO grateful that Nic choose us. And I must tell you that Nic was very determined to enter our lives. At the time he was conceived, Juanita and I were going through a very difficult time. It was not a rosy time in the Pritchard household, so there were very few times he could have joined us, if you get my drift. On top of that, we were using birth control, so…Nic was really determined! He was not a planned child, but he was never, never an unwanted child. I am grateful that Nic choose us.
While the pain of missing him is sometimes almost unbearable, we take some small solace in the idea that Nic realized that his journey in this life was complete; that he fulfilled his purpose, and was ready to move on. This doesn’t take away the pain or the void he left behind, but I know that we must all release him on his journey. So Nic, my son, my teacher…I release you on to your next adventure and wish you Godspeed. I hope I’m lucky enough that our paths cross again.
I want to say a few words about Forgiveness. When someone makes a choice to end their life, all of those around him question what they could have done to reach out and change that decision. I know that many of us are doing just that. We must all remember that this was Nic’s choice. He didn’t reach out to any of us for help, he made a decision, and when Nic made a decision, he was single minded in his direction. He made a decision that his 17 year old brain thought was a good idea. Don’t beat yourself up, there was nothing you could do. And please keep reminding me not to beat myself up, there was nothing I could do. Let us allow forgiveness to fill our lives. Will you do that with me?
There is one thing that is troubling me. How can a 17 year old boy purchase a handgun at 1 o’clock in the morning? Let that sink in. Nic purchased a handgun around 1:00am on the morning he shot himself. Now, I don’t care what your beliefs are about your right to own a gun, the fact that Nic was able to purchase a handgun at 1 am is wrong. Do you know that in this country, we have more regulations on importing bananas than we do on importing guns? Let me say that again. We have more regulations on importing bananas than we do on importing guns. That’s just wrong!
Would more regulations have stopped Nic? Maybe not, but something is messed up when we worry more about bananas than handguns. Right now I am furious at the person who sold him a gun. There is part of me right now that longs to cause pain in that person’s life like the pain I am feeling.
I don’t like this desire that I have for revenge. It is unhealthy, unproductive, and only results in more pain. I will not allow revenge to rule my life. I WILL NOT allow revenge to rule my life! And I hope you won’t allow it to rule yours. One day, I will forgive this person. Not next week or next month, but I will forgive him. I declare that and I own that belief. I hope, I hope, I hope you will too. Please, please…allow forgiveness to fill your hearts.
In our church, we sing the Peace song every Sunday at the close of service. One line in that song is “Let peace begin with me”. Let Peace begin with me. I repeat that line to myself many times a day. Because peace doesn’t start over there somewhere, or in the Middle East, or in Washington. Peace begins with me. Peace begins with me. Will you repeat that with me? Peace begins with me. Breathe. Let’s say that again. Peace begins with me. We will only experience peace in our lives and in our world if we claim peace for ourselves and commit to sharing our peace with the world.
Peace. That’s what Nic wanted; he wanted people to get along. He was a uniter, a peace maker, a kind, gentle loving soul. He’s done that in my life and I know that he’s done that in yours. I beg of you to honor Nic and let Peace begin with you. Peace begins with me. Peace begins with you. Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with us.
No comments:
Post a Comment