Letter from Toni Brandt

A very meaningful letter to my husband and myself personally …

Dear Tom and Barbra,

Eight years ago I was a sophomore at the University of Findlay. I read the article “Ever Optimistic” in The Journal and it really impacted me. I was impressed by your son’s optimism, never-give-up attitude, and especially his strong faith and yours. I’d rarely seen someone his age live out his faith, and it really made me think how he truly lived every single day and how I might live my life differently. So I kept the article. A year later I became a Christian (nothing compares to God’s grace in our lives!) … Five years later I was graduating from vet school and married an amazing Christian man; also a veterinarian …

Over these eight years I often thought of your son’s life, how he lived it, and how you as parents have lived your lives … After all this time, many moves, and life changes, I was still able to easily find the article. Honestly, until now I had only truly read it once or twice – it just “stuck” with me. One of those things that hits you deep and you don’t forget. Zane has been such an inspiration to me, most importantly at a time in my life when I had been really searching and found real Christian examples that ended with my salvation.

We just had our first baby, a boy. He’s nearly eight weeks old now. When we were thinking of names for him, once again your son came to mind. We named him Zane Wade Brandt. I pray he will love the Lord dearly.

As I re-read the article finally today, you said, “Perhaps telling the story will inspire others.” The story of Zane’s life has certainly impacted me over these eight years. Thank you for sharing it and may God continue to bless you guys to overflowing …

With love in Christ,
Toni Brandt

Print This Post Email This Post

BloglinesDiggdel.icio.usFacebookFurlMa.gnoliaRedditStumbleUponTechnorati

Tags:

Comments

One Comment on Letter from Toni Brandt

Chris Toenjes on Fri, 5th Jun 2009 12:30 pm

What a great story! Zane has impacted so many lives.. so proud to call him my cousin. In honor of him, we named our son.. Cameron Zane Toenjes. He has many stories for Tom and Barb.. and his quite the character.. just like Zane..

Tell me what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!