Courageous Walkers

Looking back, I've been privileged to meet some exceedingly extraordinary people who have immeasurably influenced the course of my own life and ministry. Most of them have not stood in the bright white lights of popularity and fame. In fact, most have names you've probably never heard. But they have been a special encouragement to me, nonetheless.

Interestingly, in my situation, those most heroic influencers, encouragers and purveyors of inspiration and resolve have been within the circle of my own family primarily. From my father, Harvey Braswell, now in heaven claimed by an unsolved homicide, and my mother, Iva Pearl who has nurtured me through times of great suffering, to my sister Carolyn Greene, possessor of a sceptor of righteousness, who has guided and encouraged my giftedness, my brother Gary Braswell, business entrepreneur par excellence of Braswell Galleries, who has backed me up through falls, physical and financial, and my younger sister Sandra Carlson, teacher who cares and dares to teach those with the greatest challenge to learning, she has been a rallying support for my wife and I in diverse ways. Carolyn, Gary and Sandra have been there for me at special times, critical points of interpersonal relational dynamic needs and seasons of gladness and sadness -- together with my devoted lovely wife Maureen of 20 years and sons Paul and Peter both sons who stand taller than I yet who walk courageously with me from day to day -- all in all-- there is something quite extraordinary within each of them that is a story deserving of full disclosure and telling-- a story of a family each of whom contain all those special qualities that comprise the extraordinary as celebrated out in the life of one somewhat insignificant person - a suffering child- Bruce ravaged by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis from age 2 who has matured into a little man- one who is small but mighty, small in stature, standing 4 feet tall yet mighty if spirit and faith and courage, thanks to God's extraordinary family saints.