Braun Marshall Powell

This past Saturday I spoke at the funeral of Braun Marshall Powell. Many of those who might read this blog will have no knowledge of this young man. Braun was 20 years old and had suffered and endured severe handicaps his entire life. It was a hard funeral to do in many ways–one of which is the similarity of Braun’s condition and life with that of our son, Cole.

The following are the words said during his memorial/ celebration of life… LFjr.

We are here today to do what no parent can ever really imagine. And what we are doing might be best described with two slightly strange words: Conundrum–mystery, riddle, challenge & Paradox–illogical, contradiction in terms

Today we share a conundrum and a paradox as we both mourn the loss of and celebrate the life of Braun Marshall Powell who passed Monday, June 28 at the age of 20.  He is survived by his mother Patricia Christine-Powell-Foreman and her husband, Reese Foreman; his father, Roger Lee Powell, Jr. and his wife, Marie Rose Powell; two sisters, Katie M. Powell and Amie M. Powell; two brothers, Ross M. Powell and Reed M. Powell; a half-brother, Nathaniel L. Powell; a step-sister, Dallas S. Foreman; a step-brother, Dallin R. Foreman; maternal grandmothers, Phyllis J. Whittaker and Mary Blair; maternal grandfathers, Terry M. Whittaker and Ed Blair; maternal great-grandmothers, Betty Davis and Emily Whittaker; paternal grandfather, Roger L. Powell, Sr.; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Raising and living with a special needs child is a journey like no other. For parents it can be a lifetime of hurting and sorrow. The pain comes from seeing how much progress other children make against how little yours has accomplished. The concept of milestones and growth markers are difficult to endure. The pain comes from the well meaning words of folks who just can’t quite understand. As a special needs parent, I can remember thinking I was going to hit the next person who said “God only gives special children to special parents.” In that context, let me assure you, no Mom or Dad wants to be special! The pain comes from watching your child struggle with the desire to be like everyone else. The pain comes from the isolation child and parent often experience. The pain comes from twisted limbs and deformed joints–ours may not be the physical pain of our child, but the emotional pain takes a heavy toll. The pain of what can never be sometimes lead to anger and resentment.

Remember the conundrum? Remember the paradox? It applies here as well. Raising a special needs child is a journey like no other. For parents, it can bring joy beyond comprehension. The joy comes from a smile that can’t be much sweeter. The joy comes from a child whose nature is to love unconditionally and to give love unselfishly. The joy comes from the bond these children form with everyone who gives them the chance. The joy comes from the recognition that the simple pleasures of quiet moments and shared connections get no better than this! The joy comes from knowing without a doubt these children belong to the Lord! The joy comes from knowing Braun never spent a single day of his life outside the love of Jesus and in eternity, he never will!

Conundrum & Paradox. Paradox & Conundrum. And so today we join the Powell/ Foreman family in their grief. Because they hurt, we hurt. Because they are struggling, we struggle.

In Romans 12:15, Paul commands us to rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 

Because you mourn we mourn with you. That’s what family does.

But there is another side to this conundrum and paradox. Amazingly enough this is also a time to rejoice. If you put it in terms of someone who has suffered, maybe you can understand. But today we rejoice.  We rejoice over ultimate healing. We rejoice over legs and arms and minds that now work perfectly. We rejoice with the imagining of a whole and well Braun running across the heavenly fields leaping and shouting in laughter and joy. We rejoice ad find added meaning in Dr. Martin Luther king’s famous words: free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, he is free at last.

Conundrum & Paradox.

Today we hurt. Today we celebrate the home going of Braun Marshall Powell. Allow us our tears. Allow us our joy. Hold our hand. Give us a hug. And know that our great God is with us on the newest part of our journey.

1 Corinthians 15:50-57, I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  55″Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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