6/21/2008
6:08:21 PM 

For those of you who do not know me, I am Darian Brown's partner and wife. Some of you may initially feel that what I am posting here is not appropriate content for the forum. However, I have something I need to express to my husband and I feel this forum is the perfect place to do so. I want to share these thoughts and feelings with "our" world as well. The world my partner and I live in day to day, month to month and year to year. This forum and all of you who participate in it, are in fact, part of "our" world.

Besides, to scroll past a thread, is a simple enough thing to do...

To my husband and partner, Darian Brown, with love:



I Know a Craftsman Constructed of Heart


I know a craftsman constructed of heart. This craftsman is no scholar nor does he have elaborate, worldly possessions. He is an artisan who is easy in nature and common in his speech.

Some do not quite understand this craftsman. He leaves them guessing and questioning, sometimes confused. It makes me smile because I truly know and understand him.

You see, this craftsman is constructed of heart. He is made of the most courageous and loving core. How do I know this? Let me tell you about this craftsman I know who is constructed of heart...

This craftsman is an artist who sweats and bleeds to feed his family and he does so without complaint, without delay. This artisan performed his craft along side of his family. Father, mother and eldest son, together, worked their craft to feed and care for each other and the youngest son who was yet too young. This craftsman labored and toiled and carried more than his share of each days load, every day. Never did he complain as long as his family was well fed, clothed, sheltered. That was what mattered to him.

That Monday, after Easter, while all three where on their way to work he witnessed the ultimate torment. While looking into his eyes he witnessed his eldest son's death. Brutal and horrific it was, as that machine drove his son where he could not stop; hard into a head-on collision. The craftsman sees it still, his body jerks violently with the memory of it every day and every night.


He will never forget the day he held his child's face in his palms and pleaded with God above; screaming, “This is my Son!” The day orange bright flames ignited his child's sun-brushed hair, engulfed his magnanimous smile and forever quieted the beautiful music of his voice. He fought desperately and completely to pull his son free. The craftsman begged and battled, fought and prayed because he just knew without question when they arrived they could shock life back into his child's stilled heart, before undulating flames consumed and digested all of him.

Men of any nature would have fallen under the weight of such an experience. Now, do not misunderstand, this particular craftsman is not who he once was within his mind, however, his most dauntless and devoted heart lead him forward. It lead him onward to continue to rise from his bed each morning, carry on, and become lost within his craft for sanity's sake.

The craftsman's heart forced him to pass by the very site where his child died, and alone, he finished the masterpiece that should have been completed with his son by his side, sharing tools, teaching, learning, and creating together. He was then and is now able to perform his craft because of the very deep, most true and unconditional love his heart continues to hold for the eldest son he lost, the youngest son who is yet too young, and the mother of both...

Yes, I know a craftsman constructed of heart.

Tammy Brown

6/21/2008
6:45:59 PM 

That was beautiful and wonderfully said.

6/21/2008
7:47:35 PM 

David and Ray,

Thank you both for taking the time to read it. It means a lot to me. I just want Darian to see himself through my eyes...

Darian,

You will always be unpretentious and that is one of the things I love so much about you, but in this case the story says it all.

Tammy

6/22/2008
9:58:40 PM 

Darian, watching you grow day by day and seeing the love you have for Larry and Tammy makes me look at my life and thank God for my wife and children.
You and Tammy are such a roll model for us to follow.

FD