Brianna Cassidy
Pilot ~ Photographer ~ Scuba Diver
Kevin Eggers
You guys did a great job on this website. It really is touching and beautiful. I hope you are doing well. I continue to pray for you two and my thoughts often drift your way, especially when I hold my daughter. Thanks for setting this website up as it helps all of us deal with the heartaches, even those that have been kept inside for years and years. Blessings to you and remember, joy comes in the morning!
Dear parents, how much I was sad when I read the article, La muerte no es voluntad de Dios. El nos hizo para la vida! Y vida eterna! Hoy la separación es sólo por poco tiempo... pronto estarás junto a ella, eternamente! Bendiciones, amigos!!!! We are very sorry about your loss...We soon will see our love ones that are resting in Him... Maranata!
All our love Miloslav Jurečko Maranatha
Project coordinator Czecho-Slovakia
Dear Rod & Mary,
Whilst I only met Brianna once, I want you to know that she made an impact on me in the few short hours I spent with her.
Teenagers can be fickle creatures and I marveled at how different she was from your average 18 year old girl. She had a maturity and confidence that was far beyond her years. Her lack of vanity surprised me. She wasn't constantly looking in a mirror or primping her hair--she just wanted to not be made a fuss over. She had so many amazing life experience that I was surprised. As a parent myself I knew that her Mother and Father must have sacrificed of themselves, to enable their only child to become a pilot or to move across the country for her to complete her Senior year at a school in Paradise. I knew that she was completely and utterly loved.
Brianna had a very obviously close relationship with her mother. There was a complete sense of ease between the two as they cantered back and forth about a particular pose or photo--laughter came easily. The love between them was almost palpable. The pride and love that Mary felt for Brianna was very evident and it was obvious that Brianna felt the same about her mother and was not embarrassed in the least to show it.
I am amazed and inspired not only by the substantial woman you raised, but by the incredible Faith and Courage that you have displayed since losing your beloved child. I weep at the enormity of what you have lost and rejoice that you have the certain hope of being reunited with her again one day.
You and your family will continue to be in my prayers.
Moita Lindgren
Ten Toes Photography
Dear Rod and Mary,
I just wanted to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you in a special way today. I am remembering that today marks four months since Brianna was laid to rest. It was 14 years ago today that Donald's body was recovered from the Big South Fork River and we learned the terrible news. It's hard to believe it's been that long. My heart empathizes with you and your pain and I pray that God's loving arms will surround and comfort you in a way that only He can do. “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. . .” Deut. 33:27
Here are just a few other thoughts that have been a real comfort and encouragement to me.
“. . . as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” Deut. 33:25
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:3-5
“Are you wounded? He will heal. The Lord “telleth the number of the stars;” and yet “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:4, 3. “Come unto Me,” is His invitation. Whatever your anxieties and trials, spread out your case before the Lord. Your spirit will be braced for endurance. The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty. The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength. The heavier your burdens, the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer.” DA 329.1
There are homes for the pilgrims of earth. There are robes for the righteous, with crowns of glory and palms of victory. All that has perplexed us in the providences of God will in the world to come be made plain. The things hard to be understood will then find explanation. The mysteries of grace will unfold before us. Where our finite minds discovered only confusion and broken promises, we shall see the most perfect and beautiful harmony. We shall know that infinite love ordered the experiences that seemed most trying. As we realize the tender care of Him who makes all things work together for our good, we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Counsels for the Church 358.4
Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. In the home of the redeemed there will be no tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Isaiah 33:24. One rich tide of happiness will flow and deepen as eternity rolls on. CCh 358.5
It will not be long till we shall see Him in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered. And in His presence, all the trials and sufferings of this life will be as nothingness. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of CCh 358.6
Has anything more been said about your landlord selling the house? I've been praying about that too and have asked to have your family added to our young adult group's prayer list.
Could you please send me a link to Brianna's website? I tried googling it and had trouble finding it.
May God's sustaining grace uphold you in a very special way today!
In Christian Love,
Heidi