In Memory…
By char on May 24, 2008 in Scrapable Quotes
It’s been a truly tragic week for several people I know.
Of course I’m not personally acquainted with the contemporary Christian singer Stephen Curtis Chapman, but the loss of his daughter Maria hit home, and brought up a few memories of loss.
Just one day after hearing about little Maria, I stumbled on news of a blogger friend who lost his 18 year old son in a car accident, who was 3 days from his high school graduation.
And this morning, the phone rang with even more devastating news about more loss. I can’t even talk about it yet – I’m still in shock, and I want to be careful about what I write because the news is still new.
It’s been almost 15 years since my brother Robert was killed in a car accident. His death came just 9 months after we lost my grandfather to cancer. At times, those first few years, the pain was unbearable. Sometimes now I feel it so keenly, I have to stop and remind myself how much time has passed.
This next quote is not what I would consider a “traditional” Memorial day quote, but it’s posted in memory…
“The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells in the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers in the land. The music stops, and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains… For every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.”
- Author Unknown
I don’t presume to know of anything beautiful remaining after the loss of a 5 year old child or the loss of an 18 year old son… but I can sometimes remember, without very much pain, the brilliance that was my brother. I can bask in the warmth of my childhood memories with him, and know that he is waiting in Heaven. I can be thankful for the life that Robert DID have, even while I’m feeling angry, alongside my thankfulness, for the life he didn’t get to have.
I will be entering this Memorial Day weekend with much sadness – sadness for those I don’t know but can relate to, sadness with memories of my own, and sadness for those I was only beginning to know but will now have to wait until Heaven to know more fully.
Hold your little ones tight and say a prayer of thankfulness. Hold you BIG ones tight and say another prayer. May God bless you and yours this Memorial Day weekend.
I understand how you are feeling today. A very beloved man in our church committed suicide last week and we are all still in complete shock! There are so many why’s that we will never understand. I’ve been reading the book, The Shack by William Young, and it has helped the last few weeks to remind me that God does not cause bad things to happen to us – we just live in an evil world. I hope that you will have a good Memorial Day despite the sadness and loss.
Amy | May 24, 2008 | Reply
It has been a sad time lately, one that brings all of us into this Memorial Day weekend with sadness, memories and some gladness.
My son just went back over to Iraq after coming home for his 2 week midtour to see the birth of his second daughter, and although I hate having him over there, I commend him and so many others currently and before him that have fulfilled their duties to defend this country no matter what the cost and no matter what the reason. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that are currently serving, those that are left behind at home, and those that served in the past. You are all wonderful people, and may God bless you all!
Happy Memorial Day!
Michelle Powell, Chief Scraphead | May 25, 2008 | Reply