Britton Christal

Born September 3,2006. Britton Daniel Christal. Why Britton? First, Daniel - after Tonya’s grandfather, one of the sweetest, most gentle and fiercely loyal and loving people I’ve had the privilege to know and learn from. But Britton. Well, we couldn’t think of another boys name. We had one, Aidan (fiery one - more in that later), but that was used for his older brother.  And we had or I had several potential names for girls. Then Tonya was at a toddler swim class with Aidan and there was a little girl in the class named Britain. We liked it. But it would be Britton. 


He came a few weeks early. Of course he did. He burst into our lives filled with innocence and a natural tenderness that has always struck his mother and me. Because mixed with his tenderness is a taskmaster mentality wants to always know the if the why and the how. Special sweet child. Also an undeniable fire. He has ADHD it’s a part of his beautiful make and some day will be the gift that enables him to share his God given gifts with the world. 


Maybe B should have been called Aidan-fiery one because if you know and see Aidan, the awe-inspiring attribute that at least I see (unbiased father) is the opposite. Aidan is as cool as the other side of the pillow. Unflappable. Seen it in him since he was very young. 


Nope. He’s Britton. His family and his friends and their parents will appreciate that. He IS Britton. Gods beautiful son. 


Britton suffered a traumatic brain injury Saturday January 4th about 6 pm.  He lost much of his ability to speak as a result. We pray temporarily. Some strength and the coordination of the right side of his body has been affected some as well. He will be learning how to swallow again when the time is right. That’s the things we know now. There may be more almost certainly but with Gods grace and healing B will get through this. With this journal we hope to keep you informed. It’s hard to get info out and we’re trying. This will help. I’m so stinking amazed though by the rallying of the body of Christ that happened so quickly and so definitively around our son and my family. Thank you and keep it up. You and your prayers are the encouragement we desperately need. The blanket of love and prayers has already made an impact.