
When I think of a "three-stranded cord" it brings hair braids, a rope and braided bread to my mind and I imagine myself braiding and unbraiding these items knowing that it is much easier to create a braid than pulling the braided strands apart.
When I think of a "three-stranded cord," I also think of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), a marriage of two people or a friendship or kinship bound together by God.
Today, I am reflecting on the relationship between our three sons, Eric, David and Kevin. These three were truly "braided" together and as best described by our youngest son, Kevin, it was because "Eric is the serious one, David is the sensitive one and I am the silly one, and when you put us together, we make a whole person." A perfect picture of three in one for me their mom.
As we prepare our hearts and home for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season, we are also preparing ourselves for Kevin's upcoming earthly birthday on December 8th, which will mark the 14th birthday that we will not be able to celebrate with him, since his passing in January 2002. Each passing year seems to bring yet another aspect of why we miss our son, and what we have lost, beause he is no longer here with us. This year, I find myself very mindful of our three sons and the two that were left behind without their "little brother."
Not too long ago, I was playing around with one of our granddaughter's beautiful, silky blonde hair, and as I began to weave a French braid, I found myself thinking about how our three sons were inter-twined into a strong braid and I wept at the thought of Eric and David losing that third cord. Kevin was the free-spirited, silly, fun-loving cord and the tearing away and breaking of their ":three-stranded cord" has been extremely painful and disappointing, as they had so many plans to do life together day-by-day, week-by- week, month-by-month and year-by-year into their old age - that was their vision, that they would be together until they were old men.
When this "third cord" was torn away, it rocked Eric and David's world to the core. Together, they were strong and seemed invincible - - there wasn't anything that they couldn't get through together, the bond (cord) was tight and strong, woven together by unconditional love. Eric and David have suffered greatly in the aftermath of the loss of their younger brother. The bond that they share is still strong and they are tight, but as they would tell you themselves, losing their little brother was one of the most difficult losses they have ever experienced; the weaving of the three-stranded cord was much easier than the breaking it apart.
Though they are all not together here on this Earth, their bond is eternal and because of their faith in the promise of Eternal hope and life in Jesus Christ, they are looking forward to the time, when the three of them are together again.
With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
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