Honoring Fallen Heroes and Coping with Loss

Life has a way of throwing curve balls at you; and you either adapt or get out of the way.
In my case, running became my way of dealing with events in my life. I focused on honoring Fallen HEROES, young military and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice.

By focusing on them, I was able to cope with my losses and honor true heroes. I hope by sharing my story on Bleed As One (Marathon Man of Honor and Strength), it will serve as encouragement and comfort to those who need it.

Creating Connection and Feeling Seen, Heard, and Less Alone

Bleed as One’s thoughtful writing has helped carry Cameron’s voice and dream to erase stigma associated with mental health. By sharing stories (The Mission at Mile 12, You Are Worth it All, It’s OK to not be OK) it reminds people they are not alone in their struggles, creates connection, and offers something we all need—hope and light. We are incredibly grateful for the way Bleed as One helps others feel seen, heard, and less alone.

Honored to Tell My Story and Let Others Know They Are Not Alone

I was honored to tell my story (How a Child’s Grief Became a Purpose for Children Grieving) because I think it’s important to give childhood bereavement a face and a name. I also believe it’s critical for grieving children and adults to tell their stories (When can I Go Back to Camp?). Every time you tell your story you heal; it depowers it and makes it part of your DNA. Additionally you don’t know who needs to hear your story and let them know they aren’t alone.

Thanks, Ed for giving me that opportunity! I hope more people find their way to Comfort Zone Camp as a resource to help grieving children grieve, heal, and grow.

Twenty Years Seems Like Yesterday

Thank you for telling Shane’s story (A Life Lived Full Throttle and Full Hearted). You did an amazing job! As his parents, it still brings us to tears when we read it. You have a gift, my friend.

October 11, 2026, will be twenty years since our son, Shane, left this earth and went to heaven. While Shane was fighting overseas, we prayed for him to be safe and to come home. God answered those prayers, just not the way we imagined. Shane had completed his mission on this earth. He had touched the lives of the people God wanted him to touch. We have thought about the “what ifs” and they become rabbit holes that go nowhere. We’ve had twenty years to process grief, loss and life. Some days are still challenging. Tears still fall, but life continues. Faith helps keep us grounded with the knowledge that we will see Shane again one day. We love our family and our time together even more than we thought possible. It is hard to believe it has been twenty years!

A child is one of the greatest gifts that we are given. A true treasure from heaven. To be Shane’s parents and watch him grow from a “how and why” little boy into the young, Renaissance man he became was truly special. He was the kind of young man who made everyone around him feel special and important. Everyone wanted to be around him, both guys and girls. He was good-looking, athletic, smart, funny, kind, compassionate and never met a stranger. To him, “a stranger was just a friend you hadn’t met”. We should all want to be more like Shane in the ways we treat others.

What has happened over the past twenty years? Shane’s twin nephews are now young men studying at Liberty University, and he has a niece, Gabriella Shane, that shares his name. Jen has remarried and has three children. We have retired and are traveling. Chris is now a major in the Air Force, and Shane was honored at his promotion ceremony. Many who knew Shane still remember him fondly, while others have come to know him through us sharing our experience and faith.

As long as we speak his name and share his stories, his memory lives on. Shane, you continue to touch lives and make new friends.

Life is short and fragile. Live it with no regrets!

Refreshing and Needed

It was my pleasure and honor to contribute my thoughts and experiences to Ed’s blog (Always by Your Side). I really appreciate the way it tackles racial issues without adding further division. Ed focuses on understanding, shared humanity and practical ways we can come together. This blog leaves me hopeful that we can build bridges instead of walls. In a day and age where social media is so divisive this keeps pointing us towards unity.

The uniqueness of every individual

I believe that we are created in the image of the living God and the pinnacle of his design. He has fashioned us from the same material, yet each individual possesses a different set of fingerprints, gifts, and talents. Those characteristics can be applied to benefit humanity if we have correct perspective on life and at the same time bring glory to God.
Reading Bleed As One has displayed the uniqueness of each person despite their life circumstances. This concept of Bleed As One unites us and ultimately points us to one Creator who made us with the purpose. We can learn from each other, be better, love better, and live better (Where Broken Roads Can Lead).

Wonderful

I love everything about this blog. Heartfelt, informative and inspiring. (A Summer Night and Some Faith)

A 3AM Friend always and forever

Bleed As One: Having real and meaningful conversations and relationships to promote unity, mutual respect and understanding.

I’ve always believed that I know a lot of people but have only a handful of friends and a very small circle.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Ed for several years and we have shared many memories, miles and genuine conversations both positive and challenging (We All Can Be MOre).

Something Ed told me years ago is that no matter what’s going on he’s my 3AM friend; and it’s nice to know that you can count on someone to really have your genuine interest at heart without fear of judgment.

Ed will forever be a brother to me, Bleed As One shows his heart, character and the soul of a good man who can see through our differences and focused on ways to help make us stronger and united.

Awesome article

I think this is incredible. If it can help just one person then it’s worth it. Please share. (Beyond The Door)