![]() There are some days that I have wanted to forget and start over, and even change the outcome or the prognosis if possible. But today, even in coming face to face with the hardest of hard situations, I want to remember every single detail. On this day, we honored Josh Brown. My husband, my friend, my love. We took a lot of big deep breaths and walked in together as a family to a room full of family and friends. We shared stories of Josh’s life, showed clips of him speaking God’s truth; we laughed, cried and leaned into this big mess. God was honored and so was the man we came to celebrate. The flowers, photos, media, music and messages weaved together in a way that only God could design. God’s sense of humor with the weather also made me smile. The morning sunny, with a major rain storm in the afternoon, that cleared up just in time for the 6 p.m. potluck, and stayed clear the rest of the evening with a few light sprinkles at 8. Friends and family shared Josh stories in small groups and through the loud speaker. My amazing group of friends organized the music, tables for the potluck and added special touches that reminded me again of their love and friendship - from many kinds of lemonade to peacock cupcakes and even goofy Casey’s pizza. It was a true good-old-fashion potluck. Josh would have loved it, the fellowship, community and more. He may have even thrown out one of his favorite Greek words, Koinonia.* The evening wrapped up with a lantern release. Groups gathered to light the large lanterns, with a little more than 40 lifting in staggered breaths into the night sky. It was beautiful. Tears flowed down my face as I leaned into the moment of “letting go.” It’s going to take me a real long time to truly “let go” but tonight did my heart good. My spirit was lifted too. There were even a few comic moments where one lantern landed precariously in a tree and another ran into a person's back. Thankful it all ended safely. As I stood with a few last friends at the end of the night, the song of one of our most favorite artists, Josh Ritter rang out. Homecoming. While the lyrics don’t reflect our story, the chorus of Homecoming made me think of all of our friends coming back “home” together for this night – a night where we honored Josh’s homecoming to heaven. Today was truly special. I will rest a little easier tonight knowing that we made it through this day. Thank you God once again for Josh Brown. We are all better because of his life here and the time we had together, even though we all agree it was too short. Learn more about the word Koinonia In case you missed it, here's a link to the full obituary posting. Here’s a link to the recorded service: vimeo.com/365315669
3 Comments
Donna Hopper
10/6/2019 08:45:59 am
I wanted to speak last night but just couldn't. I wanted to tell how my nickname ''Mernie" came about. When Josh was little he couldn't say grandma. I tried to teach him and so did Kim but it always came out Mernie and it stuck!! He later added Lou to it so it became Mernielou to him. He was a precious grandson and i will always love him. Jenn, you did a wonderful tribute to him yesterday. We love you.
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Judy Brooke
10/6/2019 09:02:30 am
Dear Jenn, sharing in your sorrow and loss. Josh will truly be missed by so many. Thank you for sharing your heart, your pain, and your sorrow with us on this journey through the valley of the shadow of death. I pray the rod and the staff of the God of all comfort would be a comfort to you in these upcoming days when you will need Him the most. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily. ❤
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12/13/2019 02:30:20 am
I don't know you personally, but I admire your strength for being with your husband during the worst times in his life. Having a cancer is never easy, hospital and doctors will be your constant best friends in fighting the battle. There will be good days and bad days, after chemotherapy for the most part. Now that God already took his life, I hope you already embraced your loss, for he will never feel the pain anymore. My condolence to you and may God grant all the healing your family need.
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About UsIn April of 2019, we learned that Josh had a large brain tumor, a glioblastoma, in the middle of his brain. At the age of 41, this was quite the surprise. Josh sadly passed away after a short battle on September 30, 2019.
View his obituary These past months, we've navigated the complexities of treatment, and hospice care and learned that there wasn't really treatment and that in Josh's case, the tumor was inoperable. We're sharing our hearts and experience as we navigate this unexpected turn and God's goodness in the middle of it. We hope to encourage others by sharing our story. Thank you for following along with our journey even in grief. Feel free to message us. If you'd like to donate to medical expenses, here's a link or you can email us questions Previous posts
October 2019
More about Josh & JennJenn Brown is the author of this site, a loving wife and communications guru.
Josh Brown most recently served on staff at Fellowship Bible Church in NWA as a Springdale Community Pastor. We've served in ministry in Missouri, Texas, Virginia and Nevada. Cancer has been big part of our story. Josh has battled cancer three times already with the first to being non-Hodgkins lymphoma at ages 15 and 25 and the third thyroid cancer last year and a GBM, brain tumor this year. Jenn's mom, Carol passed away from breast cancer 21 years ago and her father also went through treatments for Chronic Leukemia (CLL) in 2017 and is doing well now. Friends & FamilyWe have been so encouraged by friends and family. Thank you for the practical ways you are caring for us! We love you all! This is just few photo highlights of some meaningful moments.
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