I received a media statement this weekend with the news that Gregory Luke Sponberg, the 2-month old infant son of Curb recording artist Nicol Sponberg (formerly of the group Selah) and her husband Greg, passed away Tuesday, May 27, apparently of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
I hate reporting horrible news like this. Hate, hate, hate it. I feel like I’m exploiting someone else’s tragedy for a news story. Does this family really need their tragic personal business broadcast across the internet?
It’s been on my mind all day, while I debated posting the news – especially on the heels of the Chapman family’s loss. Yeesh, I’m still feeling terrible about that and here I am, the bearer of more bad news.
I guess that when you have a career that puts you in the public eye, that means that you not only rejoice with the world, you weep in front of it, too. I think music artists understand that. And reporting on music news is my job, after all.
But I think a lot of music fans forget that the artists they idolize (and yes, admit it, we idolize them) are human. Sure, we watch them get married, have kids, do stuff that seems very normal. But we forget that outside of the public eye they deal with the same everyday things that we all deal with: paying the mortgage, carpooling, mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, handling marital difficulties – and yes, burying loved ones.
So in this moment, I hope you remember that Nicol Sponberg isn’t a Christian recording artist; she’s a mother who has suffered a terrible, tragic, heartbreaking loss. I can’t even imagine what she’s feeling. I am helpless. I can offer prayer and condolences, but I have no words of solace or wisdom.
But maybe you do.
Maybe you’ve been in this situation, and can offer a word of comfort. Maybe Nicol’s music has touched your life, and today you can return the favor with a word of encouragement.
Maybe today, you’re not music fan and artist, but mothers, parents, neighbors, reaching out to comfort each other.
Cards and notes of condolences can be sent to:
Sponberg Family
PMB 186
8161 Hwy 100
Nashville, TN 37221
sponbergfamily@gmail.com