Christian Henri Lee Balters

This is not going to be some generic obituary as generic is something Balters never believed in. My precious first born son Christian arrived on this earth in late afternoon January 5, 1997. I had waited my entire life for this incredible event. His dad Matthew was right by my side and wept as he held him and prayed over his tiny body as a wondrous gift to our lives. Christian was such a clown baby and even so young would create antics to make people laugh….his beautiful laugh was infectious. He relished being an only child until at almost 6, Patrick arrived and then he had to share Mom and Dad. That was ok, he had his beloved dog Coco and Christian still was the apple of his his dad’s eye. Eventually, Johnny B came along with Hurricane Ivan and life changed for quite some time. Still, Christian protected and (well yes, harassed his brothers). But they were the 3 musketeers. Baby Andrew came along in 2008 and was the last bright star in the brood. For so long, Matt suffered with major depressive disorder and it eventually took his life when Christian was 14. He never recovered. The earthquake was monumental. That was the day my son’s heart broke just as mine has now broken on the day of his passing August 8, 2023. Christian had the biggest teddy bear heart. Through all his struggles he always was worried about me and checking on me and making sure I was ok. He struggled incessantly with PTSD, night terrors and horrific depression and anxiety. Years were spent trying to help him find a light through all the darkness he felt. We don’t have earthly reasons why some leave too soon. I know that my son didn’t want to die, but he didn’t know how to live. He was caught in a trap…one of unforgiving mental illness, addiction and depression. His only desire was to be loved and understood. And I knew his heart. His love for his family was unconditional as was my love for him. I learned long ago to put judgements aside and to be the human who could express compassion, love and to always find grace and hope. May his beautiful soul rest with his beloved father until we are all reunited into eternity.

The family requests that any donations be made in Christian's name to Noni's Place, 1901 North Palafox, Pensacola or www.noniesplace.org.