To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Arkansas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Arkansas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 10/6/13 • Approved: 10/6/13 • Last Updated: 10/9/13 • R933067-G0-S3
Dec 29, 1975 - May 8, 2003
*Searcy Living
FEATHERS OF COMFORT
by Glenda Brooks
Before May 8, 2003, our family was a normal, healthy, happy family. We had two grown sons, Ashley and Kennley, who made us very proud; a wonderful daughter-in-law, Christie, who was a blessing to our family; a sweet, beautiful granddaughter, Lexi, who brought us so much joy and delight; and a grandson on the way. Life was good. But very suddenly and unexpectedly tragedy struck our family. The world stopped, and our family as we knew it was forever changed. Our son, Kennley, was killed in an auto accident while turkey hunting in South Dakota.
No words can describe the tide of emotions that follow a death. The feeling of loss and devastation was so overwhelming. I felt totally helpless because I could not change the situation. I cried out to God for His help to carry our family through the most difficult trial of our lives. For the first time in my life, I had to totally trust and depend on Him because this was one mountain I could not climb or survive on my own. He did everything I asked of Him and more. My faith has grown so much. I have no words to describe the thankfulness I have in my heart for our God’s help.
This is where Feathers of Comfort and Hope began. The first feather I found fell from a towel I was drying with after a shower ten days following Kennley’s death. It was so wispy that I barely saw it. I started crying, and asked my husband if it was a down feather from a turkey. I can’t explain why I felt the feather was so special. I didn’t understand where it had come from, but somehow in my heart it gave me comfort. I didn’t know at that time the impact feathers would have on my life and the part they would play in our family’s journey of healing.
All of our family began to find feathers. A few weeks after Kennley’s death, my older son, Ashley, had a dream about his brother. He said he was talking to Kennley and it seemed so real. But when he awoke, reality set in again. That morning as with a heavy heart Ashley left for work, a feather was on the ground by his truck door. I soon began to understand and realize with amazement that God could use even a simple feather to bring comfort, peace, and hope to our family.
The next feather I found was several months later. I was taking care of legal issues concerning Kennley’s death. I was in my car waiting to sign some papers, and my heart was so heavy with grief, missing Kennley. I cried out to God, telling Him I could not do this today. As I raised my head, I saw a tiny little feather on the outside of my windshield. It was no bigger than a pencil eraser. I picked it up and held it in my palm. Through the tears I said, “ Yes, God, we can do this together.”
Soon after this I started my feather book, journaling the date and the circumstances surrounding each feather. There are many I have found during some of my most sorrowful times when I needed them the most. Others I found have just brought a smile to my face and thankfulness to my heart. Even my sweet little granddaughter, Lexi, would find a feather and bring it to me saying, “Here Grammy, I found you a feather.” I would tell her that every time she found a feather, it meant God and Uncle Kennley was sending their love to her. Kennley adored her. Now, both my grandchildren bring me feathers they have found. Their feathers have a place in my feather book just for them to remember also. I thank God for each and every one.
As time passed and I began to heal, I realized in my heart that I was suppose to share my feather book with others. I felt God wanted me to share the love, peace and hope that He had given our family. I didn’t understand how He wanted me to do this. I couldn’t carry a feather book around, asking people to read it. I expressed the need I felt with a friend, Janet Roberson. James, her son, and Kennley had been friends all their lives. She told me that when the time was right that I would know how to share my feather book.
In 2005, we went on an Alaskan cruise with some friends. On our way back from this cruise, I was introduced to the scripture Psalm 91:4. We were sitting in the airport waiting for our flight home. People were sick and coughing all around us. My friend started quoting the first part of this scripture: “I am covered with his feathers. I am covered with his feathers.” By now, feathers had become a very important part of our family. I was so surprised to learn of this scripture at this point in my life. It was so amazing to me.
Later that year, I was cleaning Kennley’s room after the grandchildren had spent the night. A flower arrangement was on the night stand that we had received for Kennley’s funeral. It had a Bible in it. I had never noticed the scripture where the Bible had been opened. It was Psalm 91:4 “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection.” Our family’s journey of healing had been with feathers. I was once again overwhelmed with God’s love. For He had carried our family through the most difficult trial and with His protection we had survived.
In 2006, I found a poem called The Broken Chain. This is a beautiful poem about losing a loved one. It talks of God calling us home one by one, and the chain will link again. The poem had touched my heart and brought me so much comfort that I wanted to share it with others who had lost a loved one. I was hoping it would bring the same comfort to them. I took this poem, accented it with feathers, and placed the Psalm 91:4 scripture on the back of the frame. I didn’t realize at this point that God was setting the stage for a way to share my feather book and His love. As I reflect back now in amazement, I can see how God was working to create Feathers of Comfort and Hope.
I began to realize that each feather I used was unique, as we are all unique. Each of us will have different trials. I wanted to share how God can use the simplest things in life to show us His love, give us His strength, and guide us through the trials of life when we open our eyes and hearts to see. I am so grateful to God for His love, grace, and mercy. He gave us comfort, peace, hope and the knowledge that our family is only broken in this earthly life. In the next life, we will all be together and united again. I thank God from the depths of my heart. I look forward to the day when I can be with Him and hug my son again. May God bless you in your journey of life, and may you find your peace, comfort, and hope in whatever trial you may have.
I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all our family and friends who surrounded us with love and support. You have helped share our burden, and for this we will be forever grateful. My appreciation also goes to the ones that have given me loving support and encouragement to pursue Feathers of Comfort and Hope. God used you well in giving me the courage and support I needed.
The grandson that was on the way when we lost Kennley is now his namesake: Lawson Kennley Brooks. When Ashley told me they were going to name the baby after Kennley, I was thrilled. Ashley told me that he only hoped the baby didn’t have half the energy that his brother had. Kennley always had a smile and such an energetic personality that no one could keep up with him. I just smiled and said, “Son, that energy is one thing I am going to miss about your brother. I feel God will in some way give that back to me, so all I can say to you and Christie is to hold on for the ride because it will be a good one!” And Lawson, who is now four, acts so much like his Uncle Kennley at times that it just makes me laugh. He has beautiful blue eyes like his Dad, but the mischievous twinkle in them is definitely Kennley’s. I am blessed once more, for in this little boy who looks so much like his Dad and acts so much like Kennley, God has given me the opportunity and pleasure of watching both my boys grow up all over again! This is a very special blessing!! Thank you God.
Contributed on 10/6/13 by hawkinsdonna
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 933067