Hold Them Tight

Last night was the first night since my surgery that I had the kids in bed and asleep at a decent hour. I was in my jammies and comfortable. I sat down on my bed with my daily readers, a notepad, pencil and the remote control. I usually DVR the 6 o'clock news so that I can catch the weather later. I cannot stay awake most nights to see the late news. While I had the news on for noise as I read, a certain story caught my attention.

At first you hear about gun shots here and mystery powder there along side another fatal accident. Most of this goes in one ear and out the other. That is really sad. These are someone's children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, freinds,.....Then I heard...."Festus".... Of course, my ears purk up and my eyes stray from my reading. I hear of a girl who tried to "save" her sister from drowning. A name is mentioned. I am in disbelief. I rewind. I listen again. I hear the girl's name. I recognize it. I am stunned. I rewind to listen once again. One of Emma's best friends. OH. Lord, help us.

A 6 year old, tried to save her sister from drowning. The best I could get was that the 5 year old sister simply did not have any floatation device. The older sister wanted to help. She did, but in doing so, did not make it out of the water herself. How incredibly sad. I spoke with the mom on the phone and asked if I could come over to give hugs. While I waited for Kevin to come home from work, I hugged both our kids as tight as I could and without waking them up.

Kevin and I struggled most of the night with how do you break this news to your child. Sure we have experienced death before. But those have always been older people, with illnesses. It was "easier" to explain why it was God's turn to have them. But this. This is a child.

After each of us spoke with parents, friends and sponsors, we decided to wake Emma up so that we could both be there with her and pray together with her. We had also hoped that this would make her morning easier before she left for Girl Scout Day Camp. I am really glad we did it that way. There were other girls at camp who had heard the news and were ready to talk. We had prepared her as well as we could. She is strong.

I know that the wake and funeral will be difficult. I am not sure if it will be harder for me or for Emma. Pray for her, and little Aliyah's (a-lee-ya) family. I cannot EVEN imagine how devistating it is to lose a child so young. It saddens me to think of such a small girl in such a small casket. This little child saved a life. Unfortunately, could not do it without risking her own.

At this time, take your child, your dog, your partner and thank God that you still have life with them. Do something kind. Keep your voice down. Tell them that you love them. Hug them, often. Hold them tight, don't let go...for just a moment longer.

Today is short. Tomorrow may never come. Yesterday is a memory. Now is the present. Treat it as a gift. YOU don't know what will happen. Love as if today is the last day of your life. Let everyone know it.

I love you. I hope you know it.