After his brother-in-law’s sudden passing in November, Luke Bryan and wife Caroline have taken in their orphaned 13-year-old nephew, Til.
“We feel like if we just stay positive through this, maybe we’ll be a positive inspiration for people that had these things happen to ’em,” the country star told ABC News. “You just have to plow on and play the hand that’s dealt.”
Luke’s sister (and Til’s mom), Kelly, passed away unexpectedly in her home in 2007 from undetermined causes. Til’s dad, Ben Lee Cheshire, died in late November. Although Luke said coping with the aftermath is “tough stuff,” he and his wife quickly agreed to take in Til, who has two adult sisters.
“You know, we just stay positive. I think people expect that from me,” said Luke, who has two young sons with Caroline. “I have to pray that people that have had similar situations can maybe look at my family and see me positively dealing with it. I’m not saying it’s easy.”
Luke with Til at the American Country Countdown Awards in December.
Even before Til’s father’s passing, the Bryan family experienced more than its fair share of tragedy: Luke’s other sibling, Chris Bryan, was killed in a car accident in 1995.
“Losing my brother changed me tremendously and losing Kelly, even more,” Luke told People Country in 2013. “I literally do not take one second for granted… Your faith has to get you through all that. That’s not saying you don’t question it. But you just have to revert back to your faith in God’s plan, that you’ll be together again and that’s what you have to go on.”
