My brother Graydon Wesley Brown was killed by a stray bullet from a gang shooting while he was in a Best Buy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last Saturday. He and his ten-year-old daughter were standing inside the store, looking at DVDs. They had just purchased a birthday present for his wife, and were on their way out.
A gunman had followed a gang member from a nearby mall. In what is thought to be a revenge killing, the gunman shot the intended victim several times as he and his brother were entering a store. The gunman also tried to kill the victim's brother, and one of those bullets pierced my brother's chest. He was the classic innocent bystander, and my family is devastated.
I never imagined I would lose my brother so early in life, and in this way. It made think about all the people I have met over the years who have relied on spas to help them deal with terrible grief. I met a widow at Canyon Ranch Lenox who spent months there after her husband died unexpectedly, because it was the only place where she felt loved and supported. She came back every year on the anniversary of his death to help her through the hard time.
A young woman who lost her husband to war came with her best friend to a spa that held very powerful, authentic sweat lodges. She told us why she was there in the lodge, and it helped them both bond and deal with the grief. It made me realize why some of the best destination spas, like Miraval and Canyon Ranch, have professionals who can help you deal with psychological issues, including death of a loved one.
A spa could also be a respite for an afternoon, a place you go to retreat for the afternoon, to be cared for, and have your spirit and body tended to. And when this is all over, I'm sure I'll be going there.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Anitra. My condolences to you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. Know you have Angels surrounding and supporting you.
Anitra, You and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.
I’m so very sorry to hear of your terrible loss. Condolences to you and your family as you try to heal.
Anitra
I am so sorry for your loss and your family’s loss….what a terrible story. And what a terrible thing for his daughter to witness. My condolences to you and your family.
Pat
Anitra
I am so sorry for your loss and your family’s loss….what a terrible story. And what a terrible thing for his daughter to witness. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Pat
Anitra – I’m devastated by your loss but so grateful that you would share this with us. The power of spa to help heal is one of the greatest aspects of what we do. Please know that I’m sending you my sincerest condolences during this very difficult time.
I am so sorry, Anitra. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am So sorry Anitra, my prayers are with you and your family.
No words can say enough here Anitra. Thank you for bravely sharing your grief and allowing us to send you our caring.
Anitra – Please accept my condolences to you and your family. I had to read your first sentence twice on my Blackberry, then I went to my computer. Not that we don’t hear this in the news everyday, but its seems so unreal. Although I don’t know you I read your emails all the time and so it seems so close. I can’t imagine your pain, and for that little girl who has to live with this devastation. May GOD watch over you all.
Ruth
I am so sorry. The whole experience is unconceiveable and shocking and devastating. There are no words to express my sorrow for you and your family. I am so sorry and I have always appreciated and thought deeply about your writings. You and your family certainly don”t deserve this; nor anyone else.
Anitra, I am really sorry for what had happened. I had to read your writing twice, because I wasn´t sure I was understanding what had happend, since english it is my second language. I can´t still believe it. Please take my deepest condolescent. And thank you for your work.
Please accept my condolences for your loss; I hope you and your family can comfort one another, help one another grieve in a healthy way, and help your young niece cope with her trauma. What a truly horrible event.
Sad to hear this news. Take care.
Anita, my deepest heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Any loss is difficult to accept but a sudden, tragic one even more so. I lost a young nephew tragically and I understand your sorrow. May you find peace in the love of family, friends and wonderful memories of Graydon. Take Care, Jaye
My heartfelt smypathy to you and your family
Anitra, I’m so sorry to hear about your awful loss. Thank you for your courage in writing about it.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family Anita. Thank you for sharing so openly such personal grief, you shine a light on, and help
all of us to deal with the terrible grief that is part of life.
I am badly sorry for your loss .I can just offer my condolences.
Dear Anita,
You and your family are in my thoughts during this time of sorrow.
Many blessing.
I hope the messages you are receiving will in some way help you know you are not alone. Grief is a private and lonely process but knowing people care and understand can bring some degree of comfort. I am so very sorry about this random act that took your brother from you. May time soothe your shock and grief and grant you peace. I have told myself that I will never “get over” the loss of my loved ones – but somehow I have found a way to live with the loss.
Many thanks for putting up posts such as these to sustain awareness.
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