Quoting the wise Christopher Robin

To quote Christopher Robin: “You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Christopher Robin is a pretty wise kid. On the last day of summer before school was to resume, he bestowed these words
upon his good friend Winnie the Pooh. He also added:

“But the most important thing is, even if we are apart, I’ll always be with you.”

These words came from the Disney book Pooh’s Grand Adventure, The Search for Christopher Robin by A. A. Milne. When I was reading these words aloud last night to my daughter before bed they spoke to me, almost as if they came to me alone from a little boy I imagine may share many sweet qualities with the beloved character in this story.

I miss my Zachary yet try to imagine him happy, pain free, watching over me every day. If Zachary were permitted to whisper only two sentences into my ear in a particularly sorrowful moment I believe his words would mirror those of Christopher Robin. I am sure these are the words all our children whisper to us on the wind, in every ray of sun shine, in a pure embrace, easing without our knowing the ache of our hearts.

The journey after losing a child is arduous and long; we need encouragement to endure and thrive in each new day. I hope we all can truly hear these words as if they are meant solely for us.

You are braver than you believe.

You are stronger than you seem.

You are smarter than you think.

Even though you are apart from your child, they will always be with you.