Hope, Love , Loss in 2017

Today's thoughts were spawned by message from a friend of one of her friends enduring the loss of a 16 year old daughter.  It made me think of others I know that have or are going through great loss of a child and my own loss in the death of my daughter, Carol.

My friend Kari, who knows of our journey of losing our only child, Carol at the age of 19, sent me a message about some friends of hers in Texas who were burying their 16 year old daughter.  She noted some similarities to their daughter's and my daughter's life including a common interest in sports and had the same basketball jersey number 22; they both died suddenly; they both went to small private schools; and they both loved the Lord and both had amazing personalities. Another thing I noticed as I listened to this young woman's "Celebration of Life" online was that she and Carol had the same middle name, Michelle.  Her parents had been married for 30+ years and were strong Christians who acknowledged the power of prayers offered  up for them in the wake of Ally's death.  They are calling the time that Ally lived as #Allyslegacy.

I am sure many who attended Ally's wake struggled with words of comfort to this family.  Why?  Because we don't experience this in our lives very often.  The death of a young person. Statistics from the CDC in 2014 , indicate that   the number of teenagers who died in 2014  in the US (ages 10-19 years old) who died of all causes  was 12,480.  The total number of deaths in 2014 in the US was 2,626,000.   That is 0.5%.  Doesn't sound like a lot when expressed as a percentage, but each single one of  these young people's lives was and is still held in the loving hands of God, the Creator of all life.(in Psalm 139 --God numbers our days before we are born)  

And as a believer in Jesus Christ I know that He is much bigger than our doubt, our concern, our worry, and it doesn't matter if our loss was sudden, unexpected, or anticipated over time.  God is still in control and He understands our pain at this time. He give us His Holy Spirit to dwell in us and that spirit will pray for us when we have no words to pray.  I have felt the prayers of such when Carol died.  Many who came to pay their respects just held our hand or hugged us without saying a word, but I felt a peace with each spirit- prayer I knew they had for us.

 The death of our daughter at age 19 was tragic and unexpected.  No one has ever asked me what it felt like when Carol died and what the ensuing days were like.  I think if someone wanted to know, I would tell them this:  I can only describe it AS IF someone walked by you and punched you so hard in the chest that.... your breath would be taken away and your heart would feel like it was never going to start beating again. Your legs get weak and you fall to the ground by the surprise and suddenness of it all.  And then if that were not enough, about the time you catch your breath, each new thing  that you must deal with about your loss feels like there are hands tightening around your neck and that suffocating feeling creeps up and you just wish you could die too. The torture to your system does not kill you but leaves an aching that you feel every single day, for the rest of your life.  

I don't know how people could even survive this loss without the mercy and grace of God.  He promises to never leave us alone in any situation.  He promises that good will come from tragedy if you will just wait, be calm and listen, and keep the faith in His goodness.  He gave our children to us as a great gift and said "Do your best for a little while."  Our children are a shared treasure, but ultimately they are the Creator's to know, to love, and nurture for the rest of eternity. And He gives us the greatest promise that I cling to .., WE WILL  share all of time with them in His presence if we believe in all He has done for us.  

As I sat and grieved for this family, I thought of others I know whose lives have been  touched by other losses of their children.  I have a dear fried whose daughter is estranged from her and will not communicate with her in any way.  This mom grieves for the loss of her child's friendship, happiness, and and for her daughter's seemingly insensitivity for all that has been done for her by many.  All the while, this mom knows she has been truly blessed.  I am sure she has asked a thousand "whys?" and  "What can I do to have a restored relationship with my daughter?" This mother may or may have not seen or realized this 'disconnect" coming in her life.  But because she has faith, she holds to the hope for their relationship to be restored.

Some other families I know have had a drastic life change when their child suffered a traumatic injury or illness.  It was sudden, and now their child is re-learning many tasks and  their families 
rejoice at each milestone, whether big or small.  These families have more patience than I think I could ever have.  They are confident in a hope that their miracle is in the future someday, and that their child's being and life will be restored if not completely then to a "new normal" for which they will be joyous.

Still others I know are watching a child deteriorate and nothing in the power of men can change things.   Their hope is that God will allow healing.  I cannot fathom the patience they have except they lean on each other and know that God is infinately good in all aspects of their lives.  



If you know of someone  whose life has been shattered by loss of a young person,  say a prayer for them, and keep praying for them.  Ask them out for a cup of coffee or to some activity to that might help reduce their stress and encourage them.  It may seem hard but don't be afraid to speak of the one they hold dear and have lost or are waiting on their child's return.   The best time I have  spent with a friend was one in which they asked "Tell me about Carol" and it was the best because I felt alive again...because  I have this HOPE:

 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.    this verse we had placed on Carol's gravemarker:  Romans 8:38-39
  
And one last thing....give your child/children a hug and as much love as your heart can give up each time you can, because we are not promised tomorrow.  Make moments into memories and always remember they are ours for just  a little while, and eternity is forever on the other side of this day.
 LOVE, 
Judy
27 Feb 2017