Life is short.
I know people say it all the time, but it really is and the thought doesn’t quite hit you until you lose someone.
This month, we lost a friend. A young friend. Saturday we celebrated her life. It was a really lovely ceremony, where tears, laughter, and love was shared. It was beautiful how such a young soul seemed to thoroughly enjoy the life that she lived, even if the length of it here on earth was far too short.
This loss has really hit me. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her. I think about her because she didn’t deserve to go so soon. I think about her because I don’t know what I’d do if I lost one of my daughters. We think about her because she was just a sweet little thing and it’s not fair. As we drive to school, I think about her when the sun is shining on the fields in the morning. I think about her when I’m tucking my kids into bed. I literally think about her all the time. And I don’t think I’ll ever forget her…
LOSING FRIENDS
Having to explain to your child that her friend has died is a tough one. But nevertheless, we had to tell her. I told her everything. I lessened the specifics of the details a little, but not too much. We’ve always talked to her like she’s an adult and this was no different.
Tears were shed.
Questions were asked.
Memories are often mentioned.
This is one of those things you hope you never have to do. Just like how I never thought I’d have to explain details of a school shooting to her. She’s lived through more traumatic events in her almost seven years of life than I have in my 34. That’s just not fair.
WE STILL MISS HER
Why is life like this?! Why does God take such beautiful souls so young? And in such cruel ways? I don’t know that we’ll ever know the truth while we are here on earth, but I did like what the pastor said at the service this weekend.
These two things were semi-comforting.
***Sometimes God takes people early on to save them. To save them from the hurt that we will all endure so that they won’t have to. Like losing their parents, getting cancer, or anything that would have hurt them during a lifetime here on earth. *I loved this. While it does seem silly to me to think about it that way, I did take comfort in this.
GOD NEEDS ANGELS
***God needs Angels in heaven. Which is true. We need beautiful souls to watch over us from above and what a great pick this little lady was.
So while life is unfair, we have to keep going. We just have to push forward and continue with our lives. It doesn’t mean we have to forget. Ella has told me a couple of times since her friends passing, that she’s talked to her friend…
When she’s walking home from a friend’s house…
Or while playing dolls…
And while hanging in in her chair and looking out the window…
Each time I tear up hearing that she’s remembering her…
It warms my heart…
3MORROW FOUNDATION
… so live life to the fullest, hug and kiss your kids too much, laugh until you cry, take memorable trips, don’t yell, talk to those you love here on earth or in heaven, fall asleep with your kids at bedtime, read them one more book, take lots and lots of pictures, and enjoy all the little things…
Anything can happen at any time.
Tomorrow is not promised.
Life is short.
***Little ones all cope differently… Because this little girl was a part of our girl scout troop, I reached out to the school counselor and looked into ways to allow the girls to express their feelings. I learned that writing things down, drawing, and letting the kids lead conversations was the best way to go. In memory of our friend, we did a balloon release where the girls drew pictures and wrote messages on the balloons before we let them go. I also provided the girls with a little “Remembering Our Friend” sheet to fill out if they wanted to about their friend.
It is linked here : Remembering our friend.