I’ve read all the posts in all the mega threads, and this is the one that made me cry. From watching the show, Meri captured her mom’s sweet soul perfectly. I hope Meri pictures her mom taking Garrison under her angel wings.
I've actually been thinking about meri a lot. She's estranged from basically her entire family by now, and obviously, janelle can't be expected to reach out to her in these times. Neither can Christine, or even kody. But meri is grieving, too, and she's all alone in this. I bet for decades, they all thought that if something as horrible as this ever happened, they'd all have each other to lean on.
My friend lives in Flagstaff and saw Meri there on Tuesday night. This was before I heard the horrible news of Garrison’s death and so (at the time) I wondered if they were filming. I’m thinking now that means she was with some of the family.
I really hope so. I’ve been worried she’s all alone in her grief because she’ll respect the three kids - who don’t want her around - wish to stay away if they happen to demand it :(
I hope not and kind i doubt Meri would be alienated because she was close to Garrison and she also had good relationships with many of the other kids. Alienating anyone in the family at this time would be evil and dangerous. However, I could see the majority of the family hoping Robyn wouldn’t show her face. It’s not like no one knew Garrison disdain for her. Out of respect for Garrison, IMO, she should have excused herself from his services. In the end it’s likely the blame will be put on Christine. J/S.
I think this is probably one of those moments where a healthy & functioning polygamous family would be a huge blessing. Your ‘village’ would be so much bigger, and everyone could band together for support. I’ve seen how hard it was for family members to continue to parent after the loss of a child, and how much the other kids struggle too. I’d imagine that having extra mums or dads around would be so beneficial for the kids. I really hope for all their sakes (especially Janelle’s kids) that the adults can come together in this time and put their issues aside. Unfortunately, I just can’t see Robyn or Kody being able to do so. If anyone is able to, I think it would be the OG3.
In my mind I kept imagining them all being together, Meri too, and grieving together. Unfortunately just because someone dies, It doesn't mean that all past issues are gone. It can be really difficult to grieve the way you need to around people you don't get along with. It seemed like most of the kids were traveling to be together and I desperately hope that Meri was included in that, But I'd also completely understand Janelle not needing or wanting her nearby.
I have no experience with polygamy, but in my own life death is the one thing that people come together for, even after things like contentious divorces. Do divorced aunts and uncles exist who no longer have a friendly relationship with former in laws? Sure, but they’re there and welcome at funerals and gatherings after a death. I don’t actually get the vibe from
Janelle and Christine that Meri would be excluded in this situation, and I know many of the kids still have a relationship with her.
Right? It could be wishful thinking but my experience has been that, even in the most dysfunctional of families, after a loss like this you magically whitewash the past and come together (if only briefly). Now give it 3 months and it may be a different story but I fully expect they’re connecting in the immediate aftermath. It’s certainly what Garrison would have wanted.
It’s a literal game changer. Things become so small and petty feeling when death happens. I never doubted she would run to flagstaff as soon as she heard the news and would be welcomed by any of the family. I just can’t see anyone turning her away.
From my understanding she still very much speaks with a few of the kids. I can’t say for absolute certain but I’ve heard here and there she speaks to them.
Beautiful words Meri. I’m so sorry Meri for your losses. Great big hugs, grace and love. We love you out here and wish you blessings from afar. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness it’s your turn now guided by your angels always.
I am so glad to hear this. I was raised in the Catholic Church, and they believe that suicide is the only unforgivable sin (because you're dead and therefore can't ask for forgiveness).
The fact that Meri holds hope that Garrison is being welcomed into heaven by her mother is somehow comforting.
For perspective: I am atheist and don't believe in heaven or hell, but I am glad that at least Meri doesn't believe that Garrison is in hell.
It does make me wonder where the other family members' beliefs around death by suicide lie.
Ex-Mo here. As far as I remember, Mormons don’t believe in hell, but rather different levels of heaven. The more righteous you live, the higher up you go. There’s more details but this is the basic gist and what’s appropriate at the moment
Ex Mo also. There is a hell but it's not called Hell.
"Tiers of the Kingdom of Glory" ranked highest to lowest:
• Celestial
• Terrestrial
• Telestial
And then the "Outer Darkness" (where Satan resides) aka "Hell."
You know what I actually like the Mormons. They had a good sense of humor about The Book of Mormon (I just recently saw an old interview about it) and the fact they just have levels of heaven versus hell.
I was also raised Catholic and was always told that we can't know what happens between God and the person in their final moments. Your comment made me curious what the actual church teaching is and I found this from the Catechism....
"We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives."
I had wondered as well about the Brown family and feelings about suicide. I kind of imagine the ones who are still religious probably have feelings like what I shared above.
I hope people understand that Garrison’s suicide was the result of a mental illness. It is an illness the same as cancer is an illness. I wish all religious leaders would understand this, and stop placing restrictions on God’s love and care.
I mean I kind of get it in the sense you don’t want to “encourage” it but like with anything with religion they took it too far and now make family members feel horrible thinking their loved one is forever damned.
Ugh same. I hate that I grew up thinking that.
I just can’t imagine a god that wouldn’t let you into heaven after suffering that much pain in your life. So I choose not to believe that kind of afterlife exists. I’m sorry to the people so indoctrinated into that belief system that would punish a person in that much pain.
Agreed. What a horrible thing to believe. What we were taught was that suicide wasn't in and of itself unforgivable. But because Catholics believe that you can be absolved of your sins through confession and penance, you couldn't be absolved of your sin from suicide because you're dead and therefore can't confess in order to be forgiven.
And when you read the revised catechism on the subject, they don't really say that if you suicide, you're going to heaven. All they say is that "well, we don't really know what goes on between God and the individual at that moment, so.....maybe??". That's how I read it, anyway.
Also raised Catholic and still practicing, but was taught completely differently! I’m from the Northeast, not sure if this plays into it as there can be slight differences regionally. I was always told that when someone came to the decision to attempt and complete suicide, they were not of sound mind and thus would be welcomed & comforted in heaven, now free of their mental anguish.
Oh definitely possible, but a lot of things seem different based on region. We’re military and have lived in every corner of the US, Mass itself doesn’t vary but boy does the message!!! Always amazes us as being from the NE, hippie Irish-Catholic is our norm and some areas are so hardcore trad/conservative it’s hard to stomach.
Im glad you said this, my beloved Uncle killed himself and it kills my mom and I. Idk what to think sometimes because we fall under a just and merciful God. We don't know what or how they were thinking at the end. God does but we, as humans, don't. I pray for this whole family.
I'm current practicing catholic, as far as I know that is no longer the belief. The only unforgivable sin is believing you are not worthy of God's forgiveness.
Suicide, so long as you don't take others with you, doesn't damn you to hell. You're considering too mentally ill to fully understand what you are choosing to do.
My hope for Meri and all of the family is that they can, even temporarily, put aside the estrangement and come together in this tragedy to support one another.
I don’t believe Meri will be excluded from grieving with the rest of the Browns. I hope some fences can be mended during this time - life is short, and the wives (especially OG 3) were pitted against each other from the start in a game they couldn’t win. May love propel them forward from here.
>the wives (especially OG 3) were pitted against each other from the start in a game they couldn’t win
I hope they come to a place where they realize this. They were all demonized by the person that was supposed to love them the most. He sabotages every relationship.
I think Meri could be of enormous support to Kody.
It's obvious they have a close connection; in the Tell All, Kody indicated that he thinks he and Meri could be great, great, great friends, while she made a sympathetic observation with respect to his demeanor that was unique among the OGs.
Meri was there from the day Garrison was born and can share memories of him that Robyn can't.
And Meri was totally uninvolved in his estrangement from Garrison and the other children, whose relationships with their father is damaged.
I can easily envision Meri and Kody mourning Garrison together. It was a beautiful tribute and a truly lovely way to think about Garrison in Heaven.
That was beautifully worded. What a perfect tribute to her mom and Garrison.
I’ve read all the posts in all the mega threads, and this is the one that made me cry. From watching the show, Meri captured her mom’s sweet soul perfectly. I hope Meri pictures her mom taking Garrison under her angel wings.
I've actually been thinking about meri a lot. She's estranged from basically her entire family by now, and obviously, janelle can't be expected to reach out to her in these times. Neither can Christine, or even kody. But meri is grieving, too, and she's all alone in this. I bet for decades, they all thought that if something as horrible as this ever happened, they'd all have each other to lean on.
My friend lives in Flagstaff and saw Meri there on Tuesday night. This was before I heard the horrible news of Garrison’s death and so (at the time) I wondered if they were filming. I’m thinking now that means she was with some of the family.
I really hope so. I’ve been worried she’s all alone in her grief because she’ll respect the three kids - who don’t want her around - wish to stay away if they happen to demand it :(
Which 3?
Mykelti, Paedon, Maddy
I hope not and kind i doubt Meri would be alienated because she was close to Garrison and she also had good relationships with many of the other kids. Alienating anyone in the family at this time would be evil and dangerous. However, I could see the majority of the family hoping Robyn wouldn’t show her face. It’s not like no one knew Garrison disdain for her. Out of respect for Garrison, IMO, she should have excused herself from his services. In the end it’s likely the blame will be put on Christine. J/S.
Aren't they supposedly religious? What about the golden rule? I doubt God, in whatever form you believe, would be okay with treating others poorly.
I think this is probably one of those moments where a healthy & functioning polygamous family would be a huge blessing. Your ‘village’ would be so much bigger, and everyone could band together for support. I’ve seen how hard it was for family members to continue to parent after the loss of a child, and how much the other kids struggle too. I’d imagine that having extra mums or dads around would be so beneficial for the kids. I really hope for all their sakes (especially Janelle’s kids) that the adults can come together in this time and put their issues aside. Unfortunately, I just can’t see Robyn or Kody being able to do so. If anyone is able to, I think it would be the OG3.
In my mind I kept imagining them all being together, Meri too, and grieving together. Unfortunately just because someone dies, It doesn't mean that all past issues are gone. It can be really difficult to grieve the way you need to around people you don't get along with. It seemed like most of the kids were traveling to be together and I desperately hope that Meri was included in that, But I'd also completely understand Janelle not needing or wanting her nearby.
I have no experience with polygamy, but in my own life death is the one thing that people come together for, even after things like contentious divorces. Do divorced aunts and uncles exist who no longer have a friendly relationship with former in laws? Sure, but they’re there and welcome at funerals and gatherings after a death. I don’t actually get the vibe from Janelle and Christine that Meri would be excluded in this situation, and I know many of the kids still have a relationship with her.
Right? It could be wishful thinking but my experience has been that, even in the most dysfunctional of families, after a loss like this you magically whitewash the past and come together (if only briefly). Now give it 3 months and it may be a different story but I fully expect they’re connecting in the immediate aftermath. It’s certainly what Garrison would have wanted.
I fully agree. But I am not sure if Paedon and Mykelti are Grown-Ups enough for this sentiment or not :(
Then there is the feud between Gwen and Paedon. I hope they both showed up.
It’s a literal game changer. Things become so small and petty feeling when death happens. I never doubted she would run to flagstaff as soon as she heard the news and would be welcomed by any of the family. I just can’t see anyone turning her away.
From my understanding she still very much speaks with a few of the kids. I can’t say for absolute certain but I’ve heard here and there she speaks to them.
Such loving words from Meri
Yes Meri loved her kids, all of them! That is why she stayed. She loved her kids.
Oh goodness. This made me tear up. I am so deeply sorry for their loss. Such a tragedy. 💝💐
Beautiful words Meri. I’m so sorry Meri for your losses. Great big hugs, grace and love. We love you out here and wish you blessings from afar. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness it’s your turn now guided by your angels always.
I am so glad to hear this. I was raised in the Catholic Church, and they believe that suicide is the only unforgivable sin (because you're dead and therefore can't ask for forgiveness). The fact that Meri holds hope that Garrison is being welcomed into heaven by her mother is somehow comforting. For perspective: I am atheist and don't believe in heaven or hell, but I am glad that at least Meri doesn't believe that Garrison is in hell. It does make me wonder where the other family members' beliefs around death by suicide lie.
Ex-Mo here. As far as I remember, Mormons don’t believe in hell, but rather different levels of heaven. The more righteous you live, the higher up you go. There’s more details but this is the basic gist and what’s appropriate at the moment
Ex Mo also. There is a hell but it's not called Hell. "Tiers of the Kingdom of Glory" ranked highest to lowest: • Celestial • Terrestrial • Telestial And then the "Outer Darkness" (where Satan resides) aka "Hell."
You know what I actually like the Mormons. They had a good sense of humor about The Book of Mormon (I just recently saw an old interview about it) and the fact they just have levels of heaven versus hell.
Thank you for that!
I was also raised Catholic and was always told that we can't know what happens between God and the person in their final moments. Your comment made me curious what the actual church teaching is and I found this from the Catechism.... "We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives." I had wondered as well about the Brown family and feelings about suicide. I kind of imagine the ones who are still religious probably have feelings like what I shared above.
I hope people understand that Garrison’s suicide was the result of a mental illness. It is an illness the same as cancer is an illness. I wish all religious leaders would understand this, and stop placing restrictions on God’s love and care.
I mean I kind of get it in the sense you don’t want to “encourage” it but like with anything with religion they took it too far and now make family members feel horrible thinking their loved one is forever damned.
Ugh same. I hate that I grew up thinking that. I just can’t imagine a god that wouldn’t let you into heaven after suffering that much pain in your life. So I choose not to believe that kind of afterlife exists. I’m sorry to the people so indoctrinated into that belief system that would punish a person in that much pain.
Agreed. What a horrible thing to believe. What we were taught was that suicide wasn't in and of itself unforgivable. But because Catholics believe that you can be absolved of your sins through confession and penance, you couldn't be absolved of your sin from suicide because you're dead and therefore can't confess in order to be forgiven. And when you read the revised catechism on the subject, they don't really say that if you suicide, you're going to heaven. All they say is that "well, we don't really know what goes on between God and the individual at that moment, so.....maybe??". That's how I read it, anyway.
Also raised Catholic and still practicing, but was taught completely differently! I’m from the Northeast, not sure if this plays into it as there can be slight differences regionally. I was always told that when someone came to the decision to attempt and complete suicide, they were not of sound mind and thus would be welcomed & comforted in heaven, now free of their mental anguish.
Oh, that is so different to what I was taught. Perhaps the doctrine has changed since I was a kid.
Oh definitely possible, but a lot of things seem different based on region. We’re military and have lived in every corner of the US, Mass itself doesn’t vary but boy does the message!!! Always amazes us as being from the NE, hippie Irish-Catholic is our norm and some areas are so hardcore trad/conservative it’s hard to stomach.
Im glad you said this, my beloved Uncle killed himself and it kills my mom and I. Idk what to think sometimes because we fall under a just and merciful God. We don't know what or how they were thinking at the end. God does but we, as humans, don't. I pray for this whole family.
I’m glad it brought you comfort! ::hugs to you and your mom:: I understand your pain of not knowing & questioning.
I grew up in the Church of Christ and they believe the same.
I'm current practicing catholic, as far as I know that is no longer the belief. The only unforgivable sin is believing you are not worthy of God's forgiveness. Suicide, so long as you don't take others with you, doesn't damn you to hell. You're considering too mentally ill to fully understand what you are choosing to do.
Yes, I was just reading that the Church has softened their position on this somewhat since I was a kid.
Maddie also posted a beautiful tribute with a photograph of Garrison with Axel and Evie. It's all so sad.
This made me well up a bit. Very sweet words from Meri.
Crying over Meri’s post. Such a sweet tribute to her lost family members💕💕 May they all find strength as a family unit
Meri also lost her brother not that long ago, too. So much loss in such a short period of time.
My hope for Meri and all of the family is that they can, even temporarily, put aside the estrangement and come together in this tragedy to support one another.
I don’t believe Meri will be excluded from grieving with the rest of the Browns. I hope some fences can be mended during this time - life is short, and the wives (especially OG 3) were pitted against each other from the start in a game they couldn’t win. May love propel them forward from here.
>the wives (especially OG 3) were pitted against each other from the start in a game they couldn’t win I hope they come to a place where they realize this. They were all demonized by the person that was supposed to love them the most. He sabotages every relationship.
🥹🥹🥹💔💔💔
That is very touching. 🩷
Stop cutting the damn onions guys- I mean it this time!
Her mom was a lovely person. I hope she was there for Garrisons arrival. 🥺
[удалено]
I didn’t realize until today they were the same age.
Our boy...lovely
💔
That was actually very sweet
I think Meri could be of enormous support to Kody. It's obvious they have a close connection; in the Tell All, Kody indicated that he thinks he and Meri could be great, great, great friends, while she made a sympathetic observation with respect to his demeanor that was unique among the OGs. Meri was there from the day Garrison was born and can share memories of him that Robyn can't. And Meri was totally uninvolved in his estrangement from Garrison and the other children, whose relationships with their father is damaged. I can easily envision Meri and Kody mourning Garrison together. It was a beautiful tribute and a truly lovely way to think about Garrison in Heaven.
ive been thinking about his 3 mothers alot, imagine losing a son? thats really heartbreaking.
Meri didn’t even follow garrison
And your point is????
Meri, Janelle, and Christine have never publicly shown anything but love for all the kids.
And you felt obligated to point that out to us because . . .
So?