For Tiffany ...
My Mom died in 1996. Two years later, my Dad married my other "Mom", JoAnn. My family grew to include two sisters, Tiffany and Whitney and has since expanded to many nephews and one niece.
One of those dear nephews, Stuart, passed away this past Thursday. He was 21 years old. He had just celebrated his birthday October 17th.
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| Stuart with his Aunt Whitney. He's the one who "named" her Aunt Wee Wee. |
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| Stuart doing what he did well, wrestling! |
The funeral is set for Tuesday. His Momma has had the shock of learning of his death, made funeral arrangements for a son she never dreamed would preceded her in death, and consoled and been consoled by countless friends and family members who are trying to make sense of all of it.
Our hearts are broken. They are broken as we watch the pain unpredictably hit our family. We all grieve for the loss of youth, the loss of innocence, the loss of an older brother's influence on three younger siblings.
Knowing Christ does not diminish pain of loss. It gives us hope. It helps us grieve. But it doesn't diminish it. We feel it. We go with it. We go where it takes us.
For my step-sister, Tiffany, my heart breaks. As a Momma, I can't bear the weight your blood pumping, life giving organ is experiencing. In your veins run the love of a Momma that desires to protect, hold, and comfort. Now, it's you that needs protecting, holding and comforting. Oh my dear, I can't say "I know how this feels." I can only say how deeply you are loved as you walk through this. I can only say there is love of a heavenly Father who through perhaps unseen hands are protecting, holding and comforting you. He's doing it through your boys, your friends, the countless FB posts and comments and the prayers of people all around the world.
This experience has forever changed you. You will know the sharp pain of loss that other Momma's all over the world have gone through. You are among a select, elite group that has been entrusted by this great canyon of heart pain. You will walk through this ... because you are strong. You will walk through this and come out better on the other side of it ... because you have a Heavenly Father who is stronger.
Deep in my heart,
your sister
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1 comments
Well said, sister. I am praying for Tiffany and for peace that surpasses everything she feels...
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