School Talent Show

 SCHOOL TALENT SHOW

When Uncle Brandon died, Amber struggled to find peace. During this trying time, Rachel Platt's "Fight Song" became somewhat of a theme in our home. Amber listened to it over and over and over again. The song spoke to her heart; it gave her determination to keep moving forward; it inspired her to hold to her faith.

As part of her fight for happiness, Amber chose to choreograph a gymnastics routine to this song in tribute to her Uncle Brandon, and then she performed it at her school's talent show. As she danced for her Uncle, a miracle occurred--it became one small step of success towards Amber's healing.

The song began with Amber speaking a tribute to her Uncle. The auditorium was silent as Amber's voice told of her fight for happiness, and then as she dedicated her dance to her Uncle. When Amber completed her first flip, there were shocked gasps throughout the auditorium and the crowd broke out in applause. Tears rolled down my cheeks--I couldn't help but be grateful that my sweet little girl was fighting for happiness, and somehow I knew she would overcome.

Amber's older sister, Hailey, played a piano piece at Brandon's funeral. She renamed the song, "Brandon's Smile", and then she often played it to reflect on her love for Brandon. In fact, I often asked her to play it when I was sad--somehow her song gave me peace. Hailey--somewhat inspired by Amber's performance in her talent show--performed her piano piece in two separate talent shows. Both of these performances became a tribute to her Uncle. 

It doesn't make a difference on "How" we fight, what makes a difference is that we choose to fight. Amber's and Hailey's fights have included their talents. It has become an expression of love for them. Somehow through their performances they have been able to communicate to themselves and to others their love for their Uncle. And in the process of communicating that love, their hearts began to heal from the pain of their loss. They will never stop missing their Uncle, but the aching is being replaced with peace.