“Brave as a wild boar” is the meaning of my oldest son’s name.
His name is Everett. At only 9 years old, on August 12, 2022, Everett died tragically while camping with some family members. His death turned our world upside down, and came out of no where. He left behind me (his father), my wife Amberley (his mother), and a younger sister Piper (6), and brother Sage (2).

That boy I loved so much. A hero to his younger sister and brother. The child that first made my wife a mother. That boy who constantly amazed me. That boy I was so proud of. That boy who had such a brilliant mind. That boy with the sweetest smile and most delightful giggle. That boy I just loved being with. That boy who loved so many of the same things I loved. That boy who had a personality so much like me. That boy I was so excited to share a future with. My friend. My son. Just like that, he was gone.

Brave as a Wild Boar is a place for me to pursue healing. To give a father’s perspective on losing a young child. To grieve. To wrestle. To fight. To remember. To cry. To make mistakes. To be honest and raw. To document my journey. Maybe some of you have found this space because of your own tragedy. I’m so sorry. Friend, we are not alone. You are not alone.

I certainly don’t feel as brave as a wild boar. Our family has been broken. We’re scared. We’re hurting. We’re grief stricken. We’re disoriented. We’re devastated. But we have found that God is faithful, and in our darkest moments He keeps supplying us with the strength and courage we need to be brave enough to make it through another day. When you face the death of a child, you need help to be as brave as a wild boar. We are not alone. God is with us.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
-Psalm 34:18

-Korey Freeman

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