Let me introduce you to Brandie...
Have you ever met someone who you feel dejavu with?!? As if you've somehow met them before? That familiar friend kind of feeling? That was Brandie! Approachable, funny, kind, strong in conversation but such a soft demeanor.
Our paths first met online in a Wellness Group. This group held an in person 11 Day Retreat in beautiful Tabiona, Utah, September 2023. What a gorgeous place! We connected immediately over our love of nature, photography, family, guacamole, queso, coffee, worship, DIY everything, and chocolate. We quickly learned we shared a common hate for one thing: anxiety.
For 11 Days, along with 22 others, we enjoyed morning work outs, doing the church clap as cardio, exploring nature, trying new foods, shopping at the Farmers Market, and building new friendships! We were like wide-eyed kids on Christmas morning sitting in the back seat watching the colors change on the mountainsides on our drives in to town. 11 Days in person and our hearts were intertwined.
Brandie was always smiling and cheerful. She loved talking about her chickens and her sweet Grandbabies. We made plans to create some beanie hats, tumblers and Christmas stockings. As far as you could tell, she was happy, positive, loved the Lord and strong.
We stayed in touch online as new friends, making plans to visit each other's states in the coming year. The month of December got busy and I kept thinking I needed to message her and check in. I told myself as soon as school let out for break, I'd call her so we could catch up. I never got the chance.
Sadly, her battle with anxiety had returned with a vengence and December 20th, on my way to a Christmas Party, I would see my DM with a horrible message that she had taken her life, except it would "unsend" for 5 different variations from someone I didn't know. anxiety would win the battle but it did not win the war for her soul, for GOD already claimed her as His own.