Pouring in. My Cousin Braydon Nielsen.

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On September 3, my cousin was killed in a tragic bicycling accident.

As I have thought about this tragedy, I have reflected on a communication concept I have recently read about called “pouring out” and “pouring in.” Wilcox (2013) explains that sometimes in our lives we need to “pour out.” We just need to get it out, sometimes we need to just talk, sometimes we also need to cry, and sometimes we need to weep to release all of our emotions and become empty. This is part of grieving and healing. And as a result, we can become ready for “pouring in.” Pouring in replenishes our souls, heals our hearts, and helps us find peace. Pouring in can come from many sources like a good friend, a spiritual experience, a family member, a stranger’s smile, or a kind gesture.

My cousin Braydon was always “pouring in.” He gave everyone support, love, kindness, goodness, and huge smiles. He was always that person for me. Because of Braydon, I am a better person and I am striving to be someone who “pours in.” Because of Braydon, I want to pay it forward. His goodness. His light. His determination. His love for all. His sunshine. His positive attitude.

Braydon was a member of the Southern Utah Triathlon Club and was always encouraging everyone to just keep going. He usually came in last place during his races and everyone was cheering and yelling for him as he crossed the finish line because he they loved him so much. It never mattered how he did in the race.

He never gave up. He never complained. Even though he was unable to finish Ironman St. George 70.3 due to bike issues, instead of complaining about it, he signed up for Boise 70.3 just four weeks later and finished it.

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Braydon was a father of 4 beautiful kids and a husband to an amazing wife. He was also an ICU charge nurse and a life flight nurse at Dixie Regional Medical Center.

I was so touched by the pouring in I experienced as I watched the procession of life flight teams, the life flight helicopter, and over 100 bicyclists honor Braydon today at his funeral. As they poured out their love for Braydon, they poured in their love to all of us and we were all deeply moved by the experience.

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This is a picture of all of the bicyclists who road for Braydon at his funeral.

The last thing I heard from Braydon was a quote by Zig Zagler: “You don’t have to be great to start, you have to start to be great.” He then wrote: “I have learned so much about myself because I have beaten down the devils in my life that have told me that I couldn’t do it. No matter what life throws at you or what dreams you may have, give yourself a fighting chance and I bet u will be surprised where it will take ya. I AM  BOOYAH.”

His favorite saying was Booyah. He dreamed big dreams and inspired so many.

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I will never ever forget him. Because of Braydon, I will keep following my dreams, smile more often, and live life to the fullest. He reminds me so much of the little engine that could. He never gave up. He always dusted himself off and tried again. He lived a beautiful life. He will be truly missed. Love you, Cuz.

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18 Responses to “Pouring in. My Cousin Braydon Nielsen.”

  1. Shannon on 09 Sep 2013 at 6:38 am

    Beautiful. I am so sorry Marcy. I hope you and everyone who loves him will get a lot of “pouring in!”

  2. marcy on 10 Sep 2013 at 1:32 pm

    Thank you Shannon! It was an honor knowing him. It will be an awesome reunion when I get to see him again!

  3. cherie santiago on 09 Sep 2013 at 2:10 pm

    Thank you for sharing! I am sorry for your families loss. Braydon was dear to all of us. May we all continue to live each day “Pouring in” in honor of him.

  4. marcy on 10 Sep 2013 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you!

  5. Indrani Solano on 10 Sep 2013 at 7:41 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing it, it inspires and lifts!!! I know and pray for blessings for all of you that miss him so much but thanks again!..

  6. Corine on 13 Sep 2013 at 9:14 pm

    *sniffle *sniffle… 🙂
    I came across a link to this blog and post from a friend’s blog. I’m glad. What an inspiration! 😀 Your awesome cousin is much like a dear friend of mine who passed away last August. I too, reflected deeply upon how my friend affected me. He was a lasting inspiration! I love people like that… who are friends to all and really make a difference in the world! How I desire to be like that! I love people, but am so busy and live in my little world in my own home TOO MUCH. I pray to change this, and am once again inspired to GET OUT and BE INVOLVED in the world so I can be a friend and blessing to others… THANK YOU. 🙂 And I am SO SORRY for your great loss!!!
    Hugs,
    A fellow blogger…

  7. marcy on 17 Sep 2013 at 6:40 pm

    Thank you Corine! I am grateful for your comments. You are right–getting out and being involved is a great way to bless others! Thanks again for reading and sharing your thoughts.

  8. Jenny King on 11 Oct 2013 at 12:13 pm

    This is a very inspirational story! I had a best friend that was similar to your cousin, someone who is always pouring in, so I can relate to this.

  9. Alex Bullock on 06 Nov 2013 at 7:41 pm

    What a great story! In truth, it reminds me of what my family is going through right now. My dad was recently diagnosed with Brain Cancer, but thanks to a strong support of family and friends we have found joy in my dads prognosis. We could have easily become sullen and angry at how “unfair” the cancer was, but my Dads attitude toward has helped us not only overcome but accept and be peaceful with my dads Diagnosis. He has a saying, “It is what it is.” I think that is something your cousin would have liked to say as well. It doesn’t matter what happens in life, It is what it is, so we just have to deal with it the best we can and move on. I am grateful for your story of your cousin and am sorry for your loss and wish you the best in overcoming his passing.

  10. marcy on 09 Nov 2013 at 8:14 pm

    Thanks for the comment Alex! Your story is very inspiring. Hardships are always hard but we definitely can become stronger through it! Bless you.

  11. Jessica Bernard on 25 Nov 2013 at 2:32 pm

    That’s so awesome!! It’s great to have people like that in our lives. They make us stronger, and they help shape us into the type of people we want to become. People like that inspire everyone around them, and they’re always loved by those they come in contact with. It’s people like that that cause me to stop and think about my life, and what I’ve done to help those around me. It gives us perspective for our lives. It’s a quality we should all strive for in life.

  12. Asha Verma on 29 Nov 2013 at 10:37 pm

    This is really a great story and I can seriously feel the situation and every word of this story because I recently loss my mother and I learned so many things about life from her. She was a strength and inspiration of my life and because of her I have a strength to live miles away from my family.

  13. marcy on 04 Dec 2013 at 9:04 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for your comments!

  14. Allen Vawdrey on 05 Dec 2013 at 4:27 pm

    My grandma passed away a year ago this month. I was gone when it all happened so I didn’t get to be there. My mom told me all about it when she got the chance. She poured out a lot to me about what happened. She still pours out to me from time to time and saying how she misses her.

  15. Nick Hefler on 05 Dec 2013 at 7:49 pm

    What an amazing story and your cousin sounds like an inspirational guy. I need to become better at pouring in. I was touched by the photograph of all the cyclists showing him support at his funeral. I am sorry for your loss and also feel for everybody that he left behind. Thank you for sharing your insights and his story.

  16. Scott Laycock on 24 Apr 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Wow, that is a very inspiring story. I like how motivated he was. It seemed he would do things for his own personal achievement rather than to recieve recognition. It just goes to show you that a positive outlook on life can have pouring in effect on yourself and others.

  17. Dalton Beck on 30 Apr 2014 at 11:42 pm

    What a great way to honor a loved one. Thank you so much for sharing this. I do not know your cousin, but this is the pouring in and the help that I needed today. To know that things will work out, and that in order to get somewhere you have to start. It is so neat to see people put others first, and the difference that it makes. Thanks again professor.

  18. Brian Phillips on 10 Dec 2014 at 9:38 am

    This is an amazing experience and lesson. I think this relates to relationship principles like “one-over” and “one-down”. In our interactions with others, does what we say lift them up or tear them down? I think the most effective communicators are the ones who value the relationship over their identity, and so they pour in, or one-down. We must treat our relationships with the end in mind: what are we doing to make sure the outcome is positive?

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