Happy Birthday, Brother!!

Happy Birthday, to my Best Friend and Brother,

Chrystopher!

It started last night… I decided I would start his birthday off with somewhat of a BaNG! I blew up as many balloons as possible (with the help of my mom and wonderful boyfriend). Grabbed the streamer, tape and pins and began decorating the entire house. I piled balloons in his bathtub and on his bedroom floor, hung streamers, signed the card, placed it in the perfect spot and finally found my place in bed @ about 12:15a.m.
I laid down my head on my pillow and within seconds, thoughts began racing through my mind… Just 5 years earlier, we were at a friend's BBQ, fresh out of church service. Brother began to have a hard time breathing. Knowing that he has asthma, I ran out to the car to grab his inhaler and ran back inside. Handing brother the inhaler, I heard, (*PUFF…hold for 10 seconds…*PUFF), since his usual dose of Albuterol did the trick most times, I thought nothing of it. After helping prepare the food, we decided to say grace and begin grubbing. We look over to the chaise lounge and notice Brother barely breathing. Nerves racing… I called 911… waited and waited and waited. FINALLY, the ambulance arrived. Brother was rushed to the hospital (Presbyterian, which I now work for). Pacing the Emergency waiting room… 1 hour passed… 3 hours… 6 Hours… and so on… the news finally comes, Brother is being moved to ICU…. WHAT?!?!?! WHY?!?!?!?!

The Dr. gathers the family to tell us the news... “MY Brother” only has 12 hours to live… 12 HOURS??! We haven’t built our empire, traveled, or seen the world together. Why MY BROTHER? There’s still so much for us to do and see. Praying… I beg God to give us at least a few more days. A few more days to love him, and see him….

After many days of blood tests, x-rays, CT Scans, etc. etc… Brother starts to make a recovery. Finally able to sit up, move, even breathe. Then... more horrible news hits… Brother is HIV+ ?! Can it get any worse?

Day after day of sadness pass, until Brother is able to return home. Doctor visit after Doctor visit goes by. Progress is being made…

And here we are, 5 years later. Celebrating another year!!! And for this… I only have God to thank! For allowing me many more hours, minutes and seconds to enjoy the life of MY BEST FRIEND, MY BROTHER!!!!!

Bethany A.N. Crespin

Isaiah 26:3-4 (New King James Version)

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.