Love

When I left my job a few months ago...it was nearly that week that our neighbor's husband past away.  He was terminally ill and she is the sweetest little old lady you ever did meet. 

At that moment I thought, now God, isn't that interesting that this would happen.  You see, while I was working I was never able to make it down there to visit Ms. Jane.  The kids would always be there getting lolly-pops from her and I would wave daily as I drove back and forth in front of her house. 

But that was it.

The day after her husband passed away was the day that I was able to walk down to her house and hug this little old lady.   She spoke of the years she had with her Henry and she cried.  My good friend Myrna cried with her and inside my heart cracked a little.  I have much compassion for this woman but a part of me knows that she knows the love of God, knows that she will one day see her husband again and that even though she misses him greatly...she will be reunited.

Since then Ms. Jane has come to one of our neighborhood's ladie's event (monthly bunco) and had a blast.  She will be attending it from now on and she is now surrounded by woman that love and adore her.

Those same woman who live on my street went to Ms. Jane's house and set up Christmas lights and her tree.  They surround her with their love and compassion. 

One of these women even put some pajamas for my kids "from Santa" on our front porch.  I'm still trying to figure out WHO.

*****

The little boy I spoke about...I played with him on the soccer field every game day.  He was my little buddy.  My son and his older brother play soccer today.  My husband and his daddy coached our sons soccer together. 

I find no way to understand how events such as what they have been through happen.  How does one lose their baby boy?  And just before Christmas?

I recognize that there is no "right time" to lose a child.  It is something that even though I try to wrap my brain around to comprehend...there is just no way unless you were to experience it yourself.  Again, compassion is what we are to offer.  When I found out the news...I knew that he was in the arms of God, but I also knew that the pain and grief that their family is experiencing at this time...and it broke my heart.  There is nothing that I can do to "fix this".

This family is an awesome family.  She would give you the shirt off of her back and he has devoted his life to serving his country. 

I ask again for you to say many prayers for his family.  Tonight is the funeral and as a family we will be attending.  My children nor my husband have ever been to a funeral.  This is going to be hard on them.  Even as I say that I think...on them?  This is going to be hard on their family.

*****

When we were returning from my sis-in-law's graduation we received some news.  Two weeks ago I made some appetizers for a young woman in our church.  She was due to deliver her baby girl yesterday. 

Her life has been surrounded by heart ache.  Her father died about 5 years ago...and they had a very close relationship.  While working on her college degree she found herself pregnant and chose to give that child life despite the challenges as a single parent that lay before her.

Her grandfather fell ill and diagnosed with cancer about 4 weeks ago and due to the stress of her impending delivery...her mom sent him to her aunt's home in New Jersey.  He passed away last week.  Unable to go to the funeral because of the impending delivery...mom and daughter stayed home.

Heartbroken.

Saturday, two days before her delivery date, her baby girl was stillborn after an emergency c-section.  They are unsure as to why this happened...no umbilical cord around the neck.  There was spotting and there was no more movement.

This young woman who graduates college in the spring...and her mom...are devastated.

*****

Forget about the Christmas tree.  Forget about the gifts.  This year...there are people hurting all around you.   Give them the gift of LOVE this Christmas.

Any way that you can.