To a Family in Maine, Nothing but Love

"I was born in a small town, taught to love Jesus in a small town." John Cougar Mellencamp. This past week that song's been played a few times on my ipod, when out jogging, and it is a reminder of what my life was like, before the area I grew up in became one of the most congested areas in the country. Today there's a small town in Maine, that no doubt is mourning alongside one of their families, who's gone through what could only be described as a parent, grandparents, and siblings worst nightmare. I pray that the town rallies around this family, along with sharing some hospitality to them, as they are today going to experience another pain in this path. Burying a loved one, especially a precious child, is the worst thing anyone has to do.

This past week there have been messages of support to this family on facebook, a host of folks around the world donated to a fund to help out during this worst of times, which shows that wherever we are, "that born in a small town applies to everyone." A group of fellow family members stepped up big time, and showed remarkable compassion, which is what life is about. We do not know what day we will be called home, but each and every day is to be cherished. Each one is a blessing, and every breath, every step, must be treated as such. May this family's faith keep them strong, provide sustenance in the coming years, and one day help them realize what Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross did. Her quote says it all. That is, “The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”

She is with our Lord, she was called home. Yet her legacy lives on, and truer words were never spoken. I cannot promise this family that they are going to be happy one day, and that their life is going to be a Disney type of existence. Yet I can promise them, that if they get through this together as a family, not over of course, that they shall per Dr. Kubler, see life in a completely different spectrum. They will handle life as never before, and there will be tears, there will be months of "why's," and that is completely normal. That and emotions from anger, to fear, guilt, and profound sadness, they are going to be all over the place. Forever until called home.

Today, as you go through the burial of such a beautiful young lady, know you are never alone ever. You are walking in footsteps, that you never dreamed of. Yet, there are footsteps in the sand, and there is no timeline on grief. Do whatever you have to do, provided that it does not harm yourselves or others, and may the good folks in the small town of Lowell, keep this family in their prayers. I have no doubt that they shall support them with a lunch or dinner here, and times to just be with each other. They are going to need that for sure, and one day, will see how correct Dr. Kubler is. Yes, you will carry these emotions forever, but at the same time, rest assured that your girl is in Heaven, a true angel who gained her wings, and she is with our loving Father, who I used to be angry at, but now am no longer. I feel that He understands, having thrown down a cataclysmic earthquake as his Son was on that cross. "The crosses we bear." Oh, that is so true, yet carry on, and while you have tears in your eyes, and unspeakable pain in your heart of hearts, know people around the world are praying for you, and that with God and your folks around the world, which is "a small town", you are never alone.