Remember

by Chris Burton

Had the chance to visit Charlotte for my friends’ wedding. I hadn’t been there in a few years, since Coltrane was in the womb. Bri and I lived there until 2012 and previously whenever we would visit, we felt the weight of regret. We’d think about the house we wanted to buy, the lives we sought to lead, the friends and communities we were leaving behind.

It would especially burn whenever we visited Trinity. Trinity Episcopal School is unlike any other place. Even on this trip, as we greeted friends, walked around campus, and worshipped during community chapel, we left with the hope that we’d find a school like Trinity for our boys in Brooklyn.

Charlotte is a lovely city. At one time we thought we’d spend the rest of our lives there. We wouldn’t be upset if God led us back there later in life. I was thankful to revisit a chapter in our lives that is highly significant without feeling the burden of unfinished business.

It was the first road trip Bri and I have taken since the last flare-up. Life altering events give you a chance to see the impossible in the ordinary. Sitting in the car for more than an hour would’ve made me anxious in January yet we were able to retrace our old haunts on the highway, including the Natural Bridge in Virginia. Truly, in all things, give thanks.

Times feel much simpler now. I’m only a couple of weeks away from returning to work. I have an endoscopy tomorrow (following that bloody vomit episode from April).

Cannot thank you enough for your love, support and endeavoring to understand. May you, in your time of need, have a community that reflects what my community has been for me.

 

With love,

 

Chris