Today’s post was supposed to be funny. It’s all finished and ready to go. You’ll see it next week, I promise. But something’s happened that takes precedence now.
Late Wednesday afternoon, I got word that the mother of one of my son’s schoolmates died Tuesday evening.
She was the picture of health, yet her body failed her. Unexpectedly. Tragically. And less than three weeks before her only child graduates from our little pre-kindergarten through sixth grade school.
Her son was the reason we considered the school in the first place. I’m not sure she knew that. When my son was two, we saw her son and his friends at a neighborhood playground.
My son was and still is fearless, climbing and running underfoot of the big kids. Before I could get to him to protect him that day, this woman’s son shielded him. He was only in second grade himself.
While other children ran wild and oblivious, he and his friends gently steered my precocious cub out of harm’s way. My heart melted as I heard him tenderly speak to my baby, “Be careful, little guy.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Where do you go to school?”
I tucked his answer away. That’s what I want for my son, I thought. That’s what I want him to be.
School may have a lot to do with it. Family has more. His family is noble, kind, gentle, handsome, generous. You could see it in this woman and her husband. You can see it in their son.
Now is a time for stillness. A time to hold my own husband and son.
Now is a time to be shaken. To be reminded we were not made for death.
It’s a time to watch clouds and notice peonies. See a friend. Eat dessert. Walk the dog. Go to church. Open the Bible. Wrestle with God and be held by Him.
A time to pray for courage for this family, for this husband and son. Courage for them to carry on, and then for the rest of us as well.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV
God is not silent, apathetic or cruel, but in situations like this it can seem so. Face the feeling that God Says Nothing Back and bring it to Him.
Your words move me and as you know are very timely. I am touched, crying and thankful for all the blessings that surround me. God speaks sometimes to me when I am least expecting it and these past couple days have been a few of those moments. Your blog post adds to it and I am going to share this with my husband. Thanks again Aimee.
What a week. So many untimely losses. Hang in there, Katie…
Aimee, such a beautiful piece for beautiful Katharine. We will miss her so..
I know she will be missed, especially by your class, Tiwi. Your kids have had to grow up a lot with the events of the past week…
Aimee, how beautiful and poignant. This is just what I needed to read today, as I have been feeling sorry for myself because I have too much to do, too much stress and seemingly no one to help. Thanks for tapping me on the shoulder and helping me realize there are worse things that can happen than what’s going on in my little world. Although I think don’t have time to do everything, I will take the time do what really matters.
Hug those babies for me, Cheryl. Please tap me on the shoulder some too, will ya? I tend to get wrapped around our latest “crisis” and forget the most important stuff. It goes by so fast…
Aimee,
What a terrible tragedy yet thoughtful post from you. When someone dies, particularly young and unexpected, it shakes the earth we live on. This feels personal to me and I do not even know them. I do not need to. The suffering is that powerful and conveyed beautifully by your words. I am praying for the family and for you my friend. I know it hurts you personally as well. God bless you and please take care of yourself.
Rodney
When something like this happens, it does shake the earth as you said. And it is personal to all of us. When we slow down and think about it, the grief belongs to all of us, even if we do not know the family personally.
The family has requested prayers as they move forward. Thank you for praying for them. And for your prayers and encouragement to me.
I’m crying and I don’t even know them. This was beautifully written, Aimee. I’m so sorry for that family’s loss.
Me too, Nicole. Our boys are not in the same grade, so we don’t know them closely. But I saw her around the school all the time. Even in the past few weeks. It is such a shock… and so sad.