Today, my brother Brian (who passed away on June 9, 2009) and his beautiful widow Anna welcomed their much-anticipated 2nd daughter Bella Aspen Cardall.She came from God's arms to my younger brother Brian's to his eternal love Anna.
And while I sit in my room recovering from this miraculously orchestrated heart transplant I'm humbled and grateful to the very thought of "life."
We come and go. It is so fragile, so delicate, so priceless, and so incredible.
And I thank God for orchestrating our lives and teaching wife, my Eden, and me the joy in the journey.
(Photo: Bella Aspen Cardall b. 09/16/09)
http://www.briancardall.com
Paul :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a special day yet very hard day as well I am sure to not have her husband , daddy,and your brother her on earth, However Your brother held and loved sweet bella before her heavenly father and her daddy sent here down to earth today and I hope you find comfort knowing he is doing gods work in heaven and that he is very much apart of all your families life just from heaven.
I am sure he had great joy knowing you would get a new heart and I know he must have been in the surgery room that day hoping and praying for a good out come.
May the lord bless you and your family always and your in our prayers daily :)Heres to a speedy recovery!!!!
The Max Family
fresno 7th ward clovis ca
I cant imagine the emotion of what your whole family is going through at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Paul and Lynette and especially your sister in law Anna....what a bittersweet day I would imagine this. " He gives and takes away...the name of the Lord be praised!"
ReplyDeleteIf there is anyway you could share her address with me, there is something I would very much like to send to Anna. Thanks!!
Mandy Smith
smithmandy@gmail.com
Babies are always such a blessing. And what a beautiful name! That's kind of neat to think that her dad probably had the opportunity to meet her before she was born. I'm sorry that he isn't here with all of you now. But I'm thankful to hear that you're still recovering and doing well with you new heart. You've done a great job with his website. All of you are in our prayers. :)
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteYou must be feeling well to be blogging from the hospital! What a miraculous gift of life has been given today. My heart goes out to your whole family and especially Anna who must have so many emotions going today. I hope that little baby Bella will help ease the heartache your family feels with Brian gone from this earth. Our love and prayers continue for your whole family!
Alli, Kyle, and Grant
How bittersweet is that!?
ReplyDeleteCarl Sandberg once said, "A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." And so it will...
ReplyDeleteMay Anna feel a bit of Brian closer with little Bella in her arms.
May you continue to heal and feel the joy that will come from years spent with your beloved Lynnette and little Eden.
Our prayers and thought are always with you,
The Ballards
Paul - I am sitting here listening to one of your beautiful songs 'I feel My Saviors Love' and thinking too about God's amazing plan...how everything is orchastrated so perfectly, so beautifuly, even if we don't see his marvelous design at the time. I am so sorry you lost your brother, but so grateful Bella is here! WE do come and go, and we are usually unaware of how, when, why, etc., but its all for a purpose. We just celebrated our dear Preslie's first birthday...what a beautiful gift that day was. I thank my Father in Heaven each day I have her as I am sure your family thanks Heaven Father for each day they have their eternal companion and daddy! So glad you are doing well. The world needs you, we need you and your music to continue to lift in inspire! :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome, precious Bella!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with Anna. And with your parents.
And you, Lynette and Eden.
What a roller coaster of emotions.
I think of Isaiah 40:11, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."
He does hold you all in His bosom and He will lead Anna in raising her and Brian's children.
And for you, Paul, a blessed speedy, smooth recovery.
I am sure it was a bittersweet day for everyone. My prayers are with everyone.
ReplyDeleteOh how Brain is smiling down on the many miracles being witnessed this last week. Little Bella will certainly carry on his dreams and have a wonderful Uncle to love.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful website you created in his honor.
Much love and blessings to you and your wonderful family.
Congratulations to Brian and Anna. Brian kissed that sweet baby and sent her to her momma and big sister.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world Bella!
ReplyDeleteCan you believe I have been sitting here for about 15 minutes not knowing what to say. We hold your entire family in our prayers, know that.
Love from New Jersey!
My heart breaks for the loss of your brother, yet rejoices at the gift of life found in Bella. May Brian be with his family in spirit, loving them from afar, and waiting for the day when they will all be reunited.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your family! I know it is a bittersweet experience but she is proof that life goes on.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling stronger each day. Continue healing and resting because you have lots to do once you are well.
Wow...that is such happy news! Yet it is making me cry and at a loss for words......You and others said it so well.....My heart goes out to Anna and her two little girls and your whole family. That is wonderfully sweet that such a beautiful and precious baby is here finally though. Our prayers are w/ them and you. Thank you for sharing the sweet news! Hope you are resting and recovering well!
ReplyDeleteLove, Chelsea & John
Sheez. I'm going to have to echo what others have said. Congratulations to the Cardalls for the miracles experienced. Brian is missed terribly and will continue to be. I pray that between your and Bella's new hearts, others hearts will be healed.
ReplyDeleteThank you for keeping us updated. So glad you are able to do so.
The Taylor Family
I just saw her beautiful picture. Love the high five she is giving her Daddy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious little one to carry on Brian's legacy. She's a cutie!
ReplyDeleteBella is beautiful. It has been inspiring, humbling, and sobering to read about your journey. Even though we have read much about the trials you have experienced I have thought much of your wife and beautiful little girl. I have never experienced someone close to me dying, but have thought much about the feelings one might have to lose someone, or even to watch one that is so dear to them struggle with illness or whatever their trial may be. I, myself, have six children, ages 9 to 4 months. Five boys and a girl. I worry about them all the time and can only hope and pray that they will be protected and not have to go through some of lives struggles. Thankfully we have the gospel and the knowledge of eternal families to help us through these times of life as we learn to rely on our Savior and work towards becoming like him.
ReplyDeleteI have learned from your positive attitude and faith and love for the Lord...I hope we will continue to hear about your progress whether it be through your blog or your music.
One thing you mentioned the other day has really caused me to reflect on our Heavenly Father. You said, "He tenderly and patiently awaits our running home into His open arms." I have never thought of the sacrifice he makes for us to be here...how much he must miss us, and can't wait to see us and wrap his arms around us. While he has blessed you to be on this earth a while longer I bet he will miss your piano playing and your spirit.
Lot's of thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Thank you for your example and testimony.
Sincerely,
Renee Johns
Massillon, Ohio
What a beautiful little niece you have there! Blessings to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteMay little Bella bring get love from Brian to all of you. As you all hold her Brian will be there in so may ways. God bless all of you, especially Anna. She is a beautiful baby that will bring great hope and happiness to all of you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless. ♥♥♥
I love the Beautiful picture of Bella holding her dad's arm. I am sure she will grow up learning what a wonderful father she has watching over her. I am sure her uncle's and Aunt's will give her lot's of love as well as the rest of the family.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful you have had a second chance with this new heart that continues to beat inside of you. I know you will put it to good use. I am excited to see you heal & gradually get your life back. Take it easy, I'll be in touch.
Love & Prayers, Djinni Yancey
(mom to Isaac Hypoplastic right heart etc.. AKA: the Laughing Warrior)
Just happy to see you are able to blog...keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHappy and sad for your family...such big ups and downs.
I guess they call it life....
Best wishes.
what beautiful bittersweet moments we have in our lives. much love to them and to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful name for a beautiful child!...May her life bring hope and joy to her mother, to you and all of your family Paul! Love, Debbie
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby. Your little Eden is a cutie pie too. Thanks for your music. We're glad you got the transplant! -Mallon Family-
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful baby - touching story. So sorry for you and your brother's wife and children.
ReplyDeleteLynnette
Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground
She is such a beautiful baby, what a blessing to be in your lives, what a blessing that Anna was able to carry her to term considering the heartache she went through these past months. May she continue to have love and support around her. Bella is a true gift from God~
ReplyDeleteAn insightfull post. Will definitely help.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Karim - Mind Power