There is a connection that I can't describe that is between mothers who have lost a child. At Jared's service on St. Croix a lady came up to me and I knew instantly she had lost a child. We hugged and cried and she handed me a letter. She said when I was ready to call her she included her number. In the days weeks to follow a beautiful young lady who I had sat next to at soccer games had reached out via Facebook. What do the two have in common? They are mother and daughter. In short they lost a 17 year old blond haired blue eyed son/brother to drowning when a small tsunami hit the island. He was swimming at the beach and was swept in and hit his head on the rocks making him unable to save himself. With God's guidance they found him in the day(s) following the tragedy. This young lady will be attending college in a little over a week from now. Where? Nashville, TN! She contacted me to ask if she could walk on Jared's Keepers Team with me because she would be attending a small college there this fall. Without even hesitating absolutely! We all have to drive right past your school one of us can pick you up we would love to have you! I then felt someone tell me....Mom have her connect with Kelsey they will like each other. Great idea! So I messaged Kelsey and also my friend Melanie to say this young lady will be coming in please let her know you are there if she needs you. They all connected on Facebook and in next month will meet.
At Jared's service in Tennessee a dear friend gave me a book she had written about her journey that came from the murder of her beautiful daughter. Even being in such a dense fog that night her words are still very clear to me. Don't read this until you are ready. It didn't make sense to me then, but two days ago I began to read it. It is clear as to why. I am not, and never have been, a reader. But I couldn't put it down. It spoke to me. Even though our loss was different it is the same. At first I thought I couldn't put it down because of knowing the family and Jared was friends with her grandsons and even played soccer with them and was coached by her son. Through the years I have always enjoyed talking with her in the stands watching soccer. But tonight after two and a half hours of reading I am almost done. I am blessed to have her and her family as friends. I am sad to not have met her daughter but I am guessing Jared has. I have learned that grief at times puts you in autopilot and you may do things out of character to numb or stop the pain. There are so many beautiful messages in this book I recommend it to anyone who has lost a piece of their heart with the death of a loved one, especially a child. While this is not a thick book I find myself reading each word and digesting it, owning it, and at times getting chills from them. Last night as I read one of the section where her daughter came to her as an Angel with feet, I could feel a hand go up my neck and into my hair. And then I felt a hug. I think my Angel was there with me. I feel him with me a lot. Last night on the scooter ride with Rich, I rode Jared's scooter. I almost felt like I had a passenger with their hands on my shoulders and then wrapped tightly around my stomach.
Payment For Passage by Janie Wells is a must read for those who are believers, were believers, or struggling to believe again.
Thank you Janie for sharing this beautiful book with me.
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