07/11/2026
Death is not the end of the road. Itās a bend in the road.
Anthony wasnāt just my brother or the man who walked me down the aisle. He was one of my best friends.
Many people noticed a change in Anthony after his cancer diagnosis. As Christians, we believe when someone encounters Jesus, there is evidence of His work in their life. We saw that in Anthony.
Even in unimaginable pain, he was gentle. Patient with his nurses. Kind to our mom. Loving toward Jennifer, Lexie, and Ridge.
The night before he passed, Eric sat with Anthony and talked to him about Jesus and salvation. When Eric asked if he had given his life to Jesus, Anthony squeezed his hand tightly and grunted. Only God sees the heart, but that moment gave us tremendous hope and peace.
After hearing Anthony had passed, I drove by a field and saw two beautiful bucks. I smiled through my tears.
Anyone who knew Anthony can already hear the story he wouldāve told about those deer. He loved hunting and Godās creation. One of my favorite memories is bringing him to Montana and hearing his first elk bugle. When I reminded him of that memory the day before he passed, he gave me one of his strongest hand squeezes.
I grieve that he wonāt teach Shepherd to fish. The turkey hunts in Montana. His stories. My heart breaks for Jen, Lexie, Ridge, and our mom, who carried and loved him first.
But we grieve with hope.
Life is fragile. Eternity is real.
Heaven isnāt earned by being good or going to church. Weāve all sinned and fallen short. Thatās why God sent Jesus.
Jesus lived the perfect life we couldnāt, died for our sins, and rose again, defeating death. Everyone who repents and puts their faith in Him can be forgiven and receive eternal life because of His grace.
If Anthony could say one thing to everyone reading this, I donāt think heād tell you to shoot a bigger buck or catch a bigger fish.
I think heād tell you to make sure you know Jesus.
My heart hurts more than I can express, but I know this goodbye isnāt forever.
Death is not the end. Itās simply the bend in the road until we see each other again. š¤
āDeath is swallowed up in victory.ā 1 Corinthians 15:54
