26 Comments
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Cj TruHeart's avatar

Ilaiah’s story is like an exploding star that echoes its light across every world that hears it…to help others see…that life is precious, family is precious, and that we are precious. ~I admire your courage and heart Kyle, to transform your vulnerability into inspirational storytelling…🫶

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you brother

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Ana Calin's avatar

So much openness and so much to take away from. Thanks for sharing this.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you Ana!

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Danny Malm's avatar

Wow… unbelievably emotional and upsetting, yet immensely uplifting and inspiring. Gary and Ilenes strength, along with your wife and your strength is unmatched. Thank you for writing this Kyle.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you brother

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Gina Hernandez's avatar

I really needed this today, thank you

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you too my friend

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John Gonter's avatar

Community enriches all of life. By embracing community you embrace vulnerability. Experiencing that vulnerability shapes us and defines us--in both pain and joy.

Courageous share man.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you brother. Love what you said and completely agree

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Marissa Hendershot's avatar

Your best piece yet ❤️

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Appreciate you Mar 👊🏻

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Alexander Katrompas, PhD's avatar

Powerful. So much so, it's difficult to read. I don't think there can be anything worse than being a parent and burying your child. A test no one should have to face.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Agreed. A terrifying potential reality that is worth contemplating to help bring power to the present opportunity. I am in need to that contemplation currently as 2 of my 4 are having a string of hard days… haha

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Stacy Boone's avatar

Tears stream down my face but what an impactfull and telling share. There are many lessons, a nudge of inspiration, a reminder that sometimes there is no answer to sadness, there is hope, always, even in grief.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Appreciate you my friend. Thank you

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Andres Ruiz's avatar

Heartbreaking and touching. I'm really sorry for their loss. Thank you so much Kyle for sharing this moving story. Your storytelling here is masterful. So many lessons to learn from here. Let's be grateful for everything we have and enjoy. Life is a precious gift.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Means a lot coming from you brother. Thank you.

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Adam PT's avatar

Heartbreaking. And yet inspiring. Thank you Kyle.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you brother

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Salwa 🇬🇧's avatar

Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal and moving story. Your journey through loss, resilience, and connection is truly inspiring. I loved how you highlighted the role of community and shared experiences, whether through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or the bonds of friendship and family.

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you Salwa. Appreciate you

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Salwa 🇬🇧's avatar

💛

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Maxime's avatar

touching, thank you for sharing and for your transparency, Kyle

talking (and writing too) are indeed great ways to alleviate pain

as they say, "A problem shared is a problem halved"

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Kyle Shepard's avatar

Thank you too brother

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Grace Grossmann's avatar

What a heartbreaking but also beautiful story with the power of resilience and optimism taking lead: I'm not okay, but I will be is the foundation from which life leads us back to hope, faith, and trust. Bless him. I'm so glad they have two healthy children nowm

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