Loss

I just realized that this post did not show up and I apologize for that because I think it is very relevant. 

This weekend, our communities lost three young people to a tragic car accident.  The loss of their lives is devastating to their families, I am certain of that.  We are fortunate to live in "Americana".  Our area is pretty "old school" in a lot of ways.  People in our local communities know each other and care about each other and take care of each other.  So, the loss of these three young people effected the students and staff that were in the bus, also involved in the accident.  The loss has hit every one of us who live in the area.

When you are a parent, hearing or knowing of someone losing their child hits you hard.  From the moment your children are born, you love them, teach them and pray for them.  You try to protect them, but you know that you must let them go.  And when you do, you pray even harder. 

We have no way of knowing what God's plan is for us, or when he will call us home.  I have been reminded multiple times in church, that our children are entrusted to us by God for whatever time we have them on earth.  It is all so temporary, and we really need to learn to appreciate each moment, small and large because each moment is a special gift.

The loss of these three young people genuinely impacted the "Surprise".  They are close to him in age.  It provoked several conversations and a great deal of thought on his part.  Time is short.  I heard apologies for the times he was a pain in my neck.  I apologized too.  I heard questions about life, what if mistakes get made, and what if we don't get a chance to correct them.  I was asked how he knew who he really was.  I heard that he missed home.  And most important of all, we said "I love you".

The pain of loss is real, whether it is the death of someone young who has so much to experience, or someone older who has lived a full life.  Those of us left behind feel the loss and the pain.  Somehow there never seems to be enough time.  So, as you go through your day, I ask you to pray for these families, for the souls of these young people, for our communities.  Hug your family today.  Tell them that you love them as often as you can.