It's a week later, and instead of posting my funny Christmas list, it's more bad news. Prayers are needed for a friend of mine. We met on BabyFit while I was pregnant with the twins, and she was pregnant with her second daughter. Yesterday, her daughter Sofia was suddenly taken to Jesus. Just one year old, and already gone.
My heart and soul hurt for her parents, Felicia and Ralphy. I cannot imagine the questions their 3 year old daughter is now asking. I spent yesterday crying and praying for the family, and continue to do so today. While driving home, I was reminded of the words of Jesus:
For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ (Luke 23:29, New Living Translation)
I've never fully understood that verse until recently. There is something different about the death of a child, once you have your own. I do not mean that my dear friends without children, don't ache for the lost child, but something changes. You feel the loss of another woman's child, as deeply as if the child were your own. As a mother, we see how fragile our child's life really is, and we think of ourselves in that position. Suddenly we empathize in a way we didn't know how to before we gave birth.
Dana and I have even discussed how different death is to him now that he is a dad. The thought of losing a child, or even watching a drama about the death of a child is disturbing. Something neither of us gave a second thought about before Kaia.
I ask you today, to hug your children a little tighter, or your niece or nephew or any child in your life. Give them that extra kiss. And join me in praying for Sofia's family in this time of great sorrow. If you are willing join me in a partial fast, while praying for their comfort, strength and peace.
