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March 17, 2022USF MUMA College of Business Newsroom, Elizabeth Brown
March 18, 2022As I sat drinking my coffee out of a beautiful mug from Ireland this morning, I was listening to traditional Irish music and reminiscing. My mom had a little plaque with an Irish Blessing on it. Part of the blessing reads, “may the wind be always at your back”. Over the years as my mom and I have revisited precious memories, she told me about the time she walked into the dining room and found Chris standing in front of a cabinet where this plaque was nestled among the other items. “What are you doing Chris?”, she asked. He was reading the Irish Blessing and contemplating its message. He told my mom, “you always want the wind at your back”. In true mom-style, she followed with, “if you like the plaque, Chris, take it”.
I read somewhere recently the wind is the earth breathing. I loved this. Chris was right. It’s so much easier when you have the support of Mother Nature. However, when I think of the times I have struggled to move forward in the face of this unseen force, it’s a great reminder that I’m a part of the earth, not separate from it. I think of how this applies to life as well. It would be perfect if everything was easy, but that isn’t how things work, is it? The greatest lessons seem to come from the most unwanted and unwelcome experiences. Sometimes it takes a while before it’s clear that there’s a bigger plan at play and the struggles serve a role in refining you, if you can embrace that perspective. I’m not there yet and have come to believe this is a lifelong journey!
One of the biggest challenges in my life has been adjusting to life without Chris. As I reread some of the things he wrote to me, it feels like he was providing me with advice and wisdom for a period of my life when the wind has been full on in my face. Twelve years ago today, on March 17th, one of Chris’ teammates and friends, Adam Brown, died. Chris sent an email letting us know, “before all this makes the evening news”. He told us he was well but wanted us to know about Adam and signed off with “your son/little brother…and terrible Christmas present wrapper!!”. Thirty minutes later Chris followed up with another note, which indicates how much Adam’s death impacted him. It is as follows:
I write this email after thinking a bit after sending the forwarded message you will soon read, or have already read about our fellow crusader… Adam Brown.
–Don’t feel sorry for us or feel sad for us. It is always the families: the wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers who share all the grief, sadness, and sorrows. Think of Adams wife, son and daughter, and his mother and father, and the rest of his siblings… keep them in your thoughts.
This path was chosen for us; we decided to follow it.
We will continue to do what we do best.
______________________________
Today, I’m remembering Adam and his family. And with that, I’ll leave you with the Irish Blessing that graces my wall and my heart!
May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Soon,
Cindy
Proud Sister of Christopher George Campbell, US Navy
September 16, 1974 – 8/6/11
“The greatest casualty is being forgotten” – WWP