He's #10 but wear's a #6

I reach into the pile. 

I pull out his shooting shirt. 

It is nice and white. 

I smile. 

He's playing so well this year. 

A place for him to burn off steam. 

It's been such a hard year. 

The number catches me off guard. 

#6

Wait. . . he's #10.

I am reminded one brother wears the shirt of the other. 

A number now retired in memory of one so young. 

A jersey signed by all his team mates. 

My heart aches. 

This journey day to day can get heavy. 

Thoughts and memories swirl. 

The loss of a child never leaves you. 

Your heart is never the same. 

Life is forever altered. 

I close my eyes and I can see his face. 

I hear his laughter echo in my mind. 

While I try to move forward each day the reminders are always there. 

I hold the shirt to my face. 

My #10 wears his brother's shirt. 

He proudly where's the #6 under his #10. 

For a moment I hold in my hand my boys together. 

How I miss that. 

My boys. 

We are approaching another graduation. 

I struggle to stay in the present. 

To live in this moment. 

My mind wanders to another graduation.

The final days of my boys life and I didn't know it. 

Yet, the sweet and tender mercies given to us in that time. 

How everything shines in technicolor from those days. 

Such vivid memories. 

All the excitement. 

A new journey. 

We all struggle with trying to remain in the moment. 

To be present and grateful for here and now. 

Each of us carry the weight of our trials. 

I fold the shirt. 

I place it in the pile. 

He will wear this shirt today at his game. 

He will put it on. 

No one will know that under his #10 he wears a #6. 

Each day we clothe our selves with virtue. 

Whether you ascribe to a moral code or not. 

Choices are made. 

Armour placed. 

I choose this day to serve the Lord. 

This day I choose to lay my heart before the LORD. 

He will take the broken pieces and hold them together. 

I will plant my feet on solid ground. 

It is by his grace I will walk through another graduation. 

My eyes will search for truth. 

I will remember His faithfulness and His promises. 

By his grace I will remain present in all that is taking place. 

What will your armor be today? 

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the full armor of God, 

so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.