Friends Help Fill the Empty Space Left After Girl Loses Her Older Brother
An Arkansas teen’s friends support a grieving girl on her first day of school, and the moment is so bittersweet. Until eight months ago, Nora Curtwright always had her big brother Brady by her side on her first day of school. When it was time for school to start again, 12 of his friends showed up to take a photo with her.
Teen’s Friends Support a Grieving Girl
Brady died in a sudden car crash, and his whole family has been in deep grief. Nora and Brady had always taken school photos together. She told her mom she wasn’t ready to go back to school.
Her mom, Ashley Curtwright, recalled, “She said, ‘No, mom, you don’t understand, who am I going to take a picture with?’ and I said, ‘What do you mean, baby?’ and she said, ‘On my first day, who is going to take my picture with me?’”
So her mom texted one of Brady’s friends, Gabe, and asked him to take a photo with her. Gabe then texted 11 other friends to see if they’d join in, and everyone said yes.
A Human Wall of Support
When Nora showed up at school with 12 of Brady’s friends waiting for her, her family was overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Nora’s mom was fighting back tears.
“It’s just community,” she said. “When she saw them, there was no being scared. There was nothing but, ‘I’m going to own this year.’... This community has been amazing. The outpouring of love, the way they show up. For eight months, they’ve never [stopped] fighting for us.”
Ashley says the community has become family, and it’s been a huge blessing.
It’s wonderful that this Arkansas community has wrapped Ashley and Nora in arms of love. Grief is one of the hardest things in the world, but they can rest knowing that they are not alone—they’ve got many who are there alongside them.
“He makes the broken-hearted well, and puts oil on their wounds.” Psalms 147:3
WATCH: Friends Help Fill the Empty Space Left After Girl Loses Her Older Brother
LISTEN: A Flea Market Visit in Kentucky Leads to an Incredible Family Reunion | What Began as a DNA Test Became a Father-Son Reunion
h/t: Fox8
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/WRAL
Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.
Originally published September 11, 2026.
