Today is Karson’s first birthday, a day we have held in our hearts and now walk through with both grief and gratitude. There is a saying that God calls us home when we have completed the mission He set before us, and while that can be hard to understand, we trust that Karson’s mission here on earth was complete, even if our hearts wish we had more time. His life was not defined by its length, but by its purpose. God knew every moment, and we believe Karson fulfilled exactly what he was created to do.

Today we chose to celebrate him. We got a cake, we sang happy birthday, and we gathered together as a family. We did this so our children will always know their baby brother, feel connected to him, and carry his memory with them. We never want to forget Karson. He is part of our family, part of our story, and part of our faith. Celebrating his birthday is one way we continue to love him, even in his absence. We also believe that Karson’s life, and how we have walked through this loss, will be a testimony to our children, showing them how to face grief, loss, and heartache in this earthly world while still holding onto faith and trusting God.

This past year has been filled with moments we never expected to walk through. There has been deep sorrow and questions we still carry, but through it all, God has been faithful. He has carried us, strengthened us, and reminded us that even in heartbreak, He is present and working.

The words of Testimony have become so real in our lives: “Look what the Lord has done, look what the Lord has done. Oh, the enemy did what he could, but the Lord, He has used it for good. Look what the Lord has done.” We have seen this truth firsthand. What was meant for pain, God is still using for purpose. What the enemy tried to break, God is redeeming.

“When the thief tried to steal and destroy, the Lord gave me an anthem of joy.” That line holds so much meaning for us. We have felt the weight of loss, but God has still given us reasons to worship, reasons to trust, and even moments of joy in the middle of grief.

And this is where our hearts stand today: “I am a living, breathing, walking testimony. I am the living proof of what the Lord has done. May call it crazy, but they can’t take away my story, ’cause I am a living, breathing, walking testimony.” This is our testimony of what God has done for us. Not that our pain is gone, but that God has carried us through it. Not that we understand everything, but that we trust Him in all of it.

Today, on Karson’s first birthday, we pray this with everything in us: that in Karson’s short time here on earth, his story and his life will always be a testimony. A testimony of God’s goodness, a testimony of His faithfulness, and a testimony that even the smallest life can leave an eternal impact.

Happy first birthday, sweet Karson. You are forever loved, forever missed, and forever part of us. We will celebrate you, remember you, and carry your story forward always, because your life will forever be part of our testimony.

This is our testimony.