Aubrie Anna, the daughter of Phil and Sue Broxham, sister of Mason and Eli, lived a quick, yet passionate life. Complications from heart surgery, precipitated by Down Syndrome, sent her to a new life in heaven after a brief seven months and seven days on earth. This story is dedicated to Aubrie, and all special needs children whose many needs overwhelmed their fragile bodies.
The teachings of Aubrie Anna
As Aubrie grew inside her mother, God came to her and said, “Aubrie, you’re going to be one of my very special children. You’re
going to be a teacher. You’ll teach lessons that will live far beyond the time you’ll have on earth. What you’ll teach will empower your family and give them hope through their sadness when you leave their arms. Aubrie, the world will be a better place because you lived there.” Still young, she didn’t fully understand what God was saying, but felt his special love. She felt God’s warmth and the power of his gift. Looking at God, Aubrie smiled, knowing she was going to be one of his very special children.
Aubrie grew and grew until her day came to greet the world and begin her teaching. Her birth was anticipated with great joy. Her mom and dad, caring for her brothers, looked forward to the birth of their daughter. They didn’t know it, but Aubrie had physical needs that were going to challenge her family. Those challenges would take all their strength of heart, mind and spirit.
When Aubrie was born with her special needs, they were frightened for her and for themselves. Like all parents, they had hoped for a
perfect baby with a perfect body. In her infinite mix of cells and genes, there was a change and Aubrie was not that perfect baby. She was unique and in great need. Taking care of Aubrie was going to be a challenge for which no parent could prepare. Their lives, and hers, would be difficult, but the loving bond between mother, father and daughter had been created; a powerful unbreakable bond. Once tears dried and some fears resolved, the deep love and commitment they had for their daughter swelled in their hearts and Aubrie’s teaching began.
“We can do this. We must find the strength to do this,” they said. “Our daughter needs our love and dedicated efforts to make her life as full and meaningful as possible. We love her; she’s our beautiful Aubrie Anna.” Her brothers knew nothing of their sister’s needs. All they knew was that a little girl had come into their family and they were curious. Their affection for Aubrie was evident in the hugs and kisses they gave her. Never did her mom and dad believe they had the courage to travel such a difficult path. Strengths they never knew they possessed grew in their spirits and empowered them on Aubrie’s behalf. Schedules changed, sleep changed, time with her brothers changed, their lives changed dramatically. And they did it. Her parents learned from Aubrie’s teachings that they could manage their lives while caring for hers. As they raised her they saw other parents dealing with similar and more difficult challenges with their children. By seeing that, Aubrie was teaching
them lessons of kindness, caring and compassion. But most importantly, she was teaching them about their courage. Courage to fight on, courage to care about her life and the lives of others.
As the months passed, they fought on, side by side with Aubrie. They had love and hope, but they also had fear. They were afraid for Aubrie, afraid her battles might overwhelm her. At times they felt helpless and alone. Her tiny body and heart were weak and she needed help. They were fighters, but Aubrie’s special needs were more than she could endure. All the love of her family and all the efforts of her doctors
couldn’t undo the challenges Aubrie’s fragile body faced. She battled with all her strength, but could no longer fight off death. After a few short months on earth, God came, kissed her on the cheek and said, “My dear Aubrie Anna, your work on earth is done, it’s time to come home and live with me in heaven’s eternal peace. The teachings you’ve shared will live forever in the hearts of all the people you’ve touched. Your mom, dad and brothers will continue to spread your teachings throughout their lives and throughout the world. You’ve done a wonderful job Aubrie. You’ve been my perfect teacher.”
“Please God,” Aubrie said, “must I go so soon? I’ve come to know the unconditional love of my family and I’m afraid to leave. I love them dearly and need them. What will I do without them?”
“Dearest Aubrie,” God said,“you don’t need to worry, I’ll take care of you. Your life in heaven will be one of health and wholeness. You’ll run and play in heaven’s fields, your velvet hair flowing in the warm breezes and sunshine, your body healed. You’ll fly with other angels in happiness and peace forever. You’ll never forget your family and they’ll never forget you or the lessons you’ve taught them about courage, sacrifice and compassion.”
God’s words made Aubrie feel better. “That sounds wonderful,” she said, “but won’t they be sad without me in their arms? Won’t they miss me?”
“Yes Aubrie, your family will grieve deeply when you leave,” God said. “The depth of their sadness will be a testament to the depth of their love for you and they’ll miss you forever. Their hearts will be profoundly sad for a long, long time, but I’ll help them. I’ll help mend their broken hearts and help them understand that the time with you was a special gift, a blessing. Your time on earth has created memories of love and sharing that will one day brighten their hearts, even through their tears. The courage with which you fought to live will strengthen them against future difficulties they’ll face. They’ll heal with you in their hearts, your spirit will live on.”
And then she was gone. Suddenly the precious life of sweet Aubrie Anna ended and a part of the lives of her mom and dad died too. They lost their beloved daughter and her brothers lost their beautiful sister. It was a sad day; great has been their sorrow.
In the time that has passed since Aubrie’s death, not a single day goes by that her mom and dad don’t think of her, wonder how she’s
doing and wishing her well. They smile, they cry and move forward. Her brothers miss their sister very much too. But, Aubrie’s teachings have helped her family heal. The blessing of her birth, and her struggles, has strengthened them all and shown them how precious all of life is. They know how each of life’s moments is to be held closely and cherished; each sunrise appreciated, each hug and kiss lived completely.
On her birthday Aubrie came to God and asked, “God, will I ever be with my family again?”
“My dear Aubrie,” God said, “you’re with your family every day, and you always have been. They feel you in their souls and find you in the twinkling stars and the glowing moon. They see you in the smiling faces of children and in the hope of the world. You’re always with them Aubrie and they’re always with you. That will never change.”
“Thank you God, that makes me feel better,” she said. “I love them so much and want them to be happy.”
And then with her family in her heart and a smile on her face, Aubrie skipped away to dance with the butterflies and laugh with her friends. Beautiful Aubrie Anna, their precious child, precious child.
The End
But not really the end, because Aubrie’s spirit and teachings will live on forever.
The teachings of Aubrie Anna
As Aubrie grew inside her mother, God came to her and said, “Aubrie, you’re going to be one of my very special children. You’re
going to be a teacher. You’ll teach lessons that will live far beyond the time you’ll have on earth. What you’ll teach will empower your family and give them hope through their sadness when you leave their arms. Aubrie, the world will be a better place because you lived there.” Still young, she didn’t fully understand what God was saying, but felt his special love. She felt God’s warmth and the power of his gift. Looking at God, Aubrie smiled, knowing she was going to be one of his very special children.
Aubrie grew and grew until her day came to greet the world and begin her teaching. Her birth was anticipated with great joy. Her mom and dad, caring for her brothers, looked forward to the birth of their daughter. They didn’t know it, but Aubrie had physical needs that were going to challenge her family. Those challenges would take all their strength of heart, mind and spirit.
When Aubrie was born with her special needs, they were frightened for her and for themselves. Like all parents, they had hoped for a
perfect baby with a perfect body. In her infinite mix of cells and genes, there was a change and Aubrie was not that perfect baby. She was unique and in great need. Taking care of Aubrie was going to be a challenge for which no parent could prepare. Their lives, and hers, would be difficult, but the loving bond between mother, father and daughter had been created; a powerful unbreakable bond. Once tears dried and some fears resolved, the deep love and commitment they had for their daughter swelled in their hearts and Aubrie’s teaching began.
“We can do this. We must find the strength to do this,” they said. “Our daughter needs our love and dedicated efforts to make her life as full and meaningful as possible. We love her; she’s our beautiful Aubrie Anna.” Her brothers knew nothing of their sister’s needs. All they knew was that a little girl had come into their family and they were curious. Their affection for Aubrie was evident in the hugs and kisses they gave her. Never did her mom and dad believe they had the courage to travel such a difficult path. Strengths they never knew they possessed grew in their spirits and empowered them on Aubrie’s behalf. Schedules changed, sleep changed, time with her brothers changed, their lives changed dramatically. And they did it. Her parents learned from Aubrie’s teachings that they could manage their lives while caring for hers. As they raised her they saw other parents dealing with similar and more difficult challenges with their children. By seeing that, Aubrie was teaching
them lessons of kindness, caring and compassion. But most importantly, she was teaching them about their courage. Courage to fight on, courage to care about her life and the lives of others.
As the months passed, they fought on, side by side with Aubrie. They had love and hope, but they also had fear. They were afraid for Aubrie, afraid her battles might overwhelm her. At times they felt helpless and alone. Her tiny body and heart were weak and she needed help. They were fighters, but Aubrie’s special needs were more than she could endure. All the love of her family and all the efforts of her doctors
couldn’t undo the challenges Aubrie’s fragile body faced. She battled with all her strength, but could no longer fight off death. After a few short months on earth, God came, kissed her on the cheek and said, “My dear Aubrie Anna, your work on earth is done, it’s time to come home and live with me in heaven’s eternal peace. The teachings you’ve shared will live forever in the hearts of all the people you’ve touched. Your mom, dad and brothers will continue to spread your teachings throughout their lives and throughout the world. You’ve done a wonderful job Aubrie. You’ve been my perfect teacher.”
“Please God,” Aubrie said, “must I go so soon? I’ve come to know the unconditional love of my family and I’m afraid to leave. I love them dearly and need them. What will I do without them?”
“Dearest Aubrie,” God said,“you don’t need to worry, I’ll take care of you. Your life in heaven will be one of health and wholeness. You’ll run and play in heaven’s fields, your velvet hair flowing in the warm breezes and sunshine, your body healed. You’ll fly with other angels in happiness and peace forever. You’ll never forget your family and they’ll never forget you or the lessons you’ve taught them about courage, sacrifice and compassion.”
God’s words made Aubrie feel better. “That sounds wonderful,” she said, “but won’t they be sad without me in their arms? Won’t they miss me?”
“Yes Aubrie, your family will grieve deeply when you leave,” God said. “The depth of their sadness will be a testament to the depth of their love for you and they’ll miss you forever. Their hearts will be profoundly sad for a long, long time, but I’ll help them. I’ll help mend their broken hearts and help them understand that the time with you was a special gift, a blessing. Your time on earth has created memories of love and sharing that will one day brighten their hearts, even through their tears. The courage with which you fought to live will strengthen them against future difficulties they’ll face. They’ll heal with you in their hearts, your spirit will live on.”
And then she was gone. Suddenly the precious life of sweet Aubrie Anna ended and a part of the lives of her mom and dad died too. They lost their beloved daughter and her brothers lost their beautiful sister. It was a sad day; great has been their sorrow.
In the time that has passed since Aubrie’s death, not a single day goes by that her mom and dad don’t think of her, wonder how she’s
doing and wishing her well. They smile, they cry and move forward. Her brothers miss their sister very much too. But, Aubrie’s teachings have helped her family heal. The blessing of her birth, and her struggles, has strengthened them all and shown them how precious all of life is. They know how each of life’s moments is to be held closely and cherished; each sunrise appreciated, each hug and kiss lived completely.
On her birthday Aubrie came to God and asked, “God, will I ever be with my family again?”
“My dear Aubrie,” God said, “you’re with your family every day, and you always have been. They feel you in their souls and find you in the twinkling stars and the glowing moon. They see you in the smiling faces of children and in the hope of the world. You’re always with them Aubrie and they’re always with you. That will never change.”
“Thank you God, that makes me feel better,” she said. “I love them so much and want them to be happy.”
And then with her family in her heart and a smile on her face, Aubrie skipped away to dance with the butterflies and laugh with her friends. Beautiful Aubrie Anna, their precious child, precious child.
The End
But not really the end, because Aubrie’s spirit and teachings will live on forever.