HebronMommy

I love Saturday mornings! No particular reason as my schedule can sometimes be a little more hectic than during the week.  Soccer games, grocery runs, chores (especially those not finished during the week), and basically a full day of catch up.  Yet for some reason, the weekend just seems a little more relaxed.  Ever since I transitioned from a working mom to a SAHM, the 8-5 clock is ingrained in my head.  So when I try to plan my day or get things done...it still seems to be based on that schedule. Today started off great!  My 2 month old, Elizabeth, graciously decided to sleep until 5:30 am.  This, by itself, is an accomplishment.  Normally, I would be dragging myself out of bed quietly so as not to wake up my husband or the other children.  Before I could pull the covers off, I noticed Bryan had quickly arose to her wimper and was taking her downstairs to feed her.  Do I get to sleep in?  Oh Yea! Back to sleep.......

This week has been a troubling one for me.  Not for the normal reasons one might think of such as chaotic schedules, sick children, money issues, or work-related stress.  In fact, the reasons have nothing to do with my own family but with two other families devastated and turned upside down by the death of a young parent.  Our world lost two angels, two loving parents who leave behind small, young children forced to deal with a tragic loss at such a young age. It takes a great amount of faith to wrap your mind around the concept that God has greater plans for them in heaven when truly, they both were needed here by their families.  My own faith has been tested just trying to make sense of it.  I am taken back a bit on how much just hearing the news and seeing the posts on Facebook has affected me even though I had not been in touch with either person who passed away.

The first was a young mother, Robin, who was the sister of a girl I went to high school with almost 20 years ago.  As you know, Facebook allows you to connect with people in a way unlike anything we had ever experienced just a decade or so ago.  Instantly, old classmates, co-workers, neighbors, and family members become "Friends" and "Friends of Friends" although you may never actually speak to them on the phone or even see them.  Such is this case where the acceptance of an old classmate's friend request welcomed me into the life of her family, her sister's battle with cancer, even though we were not close in school and had not spoken since I graduated in 1993.  Truthfully, I love learning about what has happened  or what is currently going on in the lives of those I've crossed paths with either through high school, former co-workers, my neighbors, or my own family on Facebook.  Without it, I would probably be isolated or even lonely at times since I have four little ones of my own and a wonderful husband which take up 99.9% of my time. Several months ago, I remember seeing a post wishing her well, sending prayers, and encouraging her to fight.  "Fight what?" I thought.  So I clicked on her profile and saw Robin had a beautiful family, two gorgeous little girls (maybe 4 yrs old and 2 yrs old) just guessing from their pictures, and a good career.  She was battling cancer and displayed an unbelievable amount of faith from God that he would see her through.  It was inspiring to me to read such comments from her friends and family.  I began to pray for her that day and weekly as I kept checking in just to see how she was doing and offering my own comments of encouragement at times.  She didn't know me and had no idea the impact she made on my life.  Her struggle and recent passing reminded me how precious life is and to never take things, moments, or people for granted.  Not that I do anyway, but everyone I believe truthfully, gets caught up in the moment at times.  Forgetting to tell an old friend how much you miss them; telling your spouse or significant other why you fell in love with them in the first place; or reminding your children how much everything about them means to you (even on the bad days).  My heart just breaks for the two little girls she had to leave behind.  Just the thought of how much they will miss her and unable to understand why she isn't coming home brings me to tears as I write.  I pray God grants them peace and watches over her children and husband.

Another little boy lost his father just this week.  Brian, a classmate of mine from high school, died suddenly just a few days ago and will be laid to rest on Monday.  Again, I haven't spoken to him since we graduated and honestly can't remember talking to him that much in school as he was part of a different circle of friends. I do remember he was athletic, ran track, and was always very nice.  The acceptance of a Facebook friend request connected me with an old classmate.  What caught my attention was the smiling face of his little boy in a Red's cap who looked to be about 6 or 7 yrs old.  Periodically, I would see a post or a picture from him, but not that often.  Then someone tagged him in a post and the News Feed said "you will be missed".  What!!! Missed like...moving away missed??  I clicked on his profile to see what happened and it showed recent activity he was now friends with so and so just a day or two earlier.  A couple of people noted RIP. My heart sank and I remember just staring at his profile pic with his little boy's arm wrapped around his daddy in matching ball caps.  Not another one :-( !  I posted a comment on my profile asking if anyone knew what happened.  Within minutes, old classmates jumped in, all wondering the same thing.  It was amazing to me how fast knowledge and information was spreading even though no one was actually talking to each other.  It seems he died suddenly from natural, unforeseen causes.  Faith, once again is tested, and another child has to face the harsh reality of growing up without a father who loved his son more than anything. His loss has impacted me as well.  I don't think I have ever hugged, kissed, and displayed more patience with my children as I have this past week.

As these two angels are laid to rest over the next couple of days, I pray for their families and especially their children.  May God please give them peace and fill their children's hearts with the love of their parents, Robin and Brian.  I know they will watch over them as angels, sent to heaven way too soon.  Hopefully next week will be much quieter and every Facebook post and picture I see will be about something positive and exciting going on in the lives of my old classmates, co-workers, friends, and family.

Although I am not quite finished, I made some pretty good process and hope to sneak away maybe later and finish putting it together, not to mention getting a chance to sit down and collect my thoughts.  Better get back to the grind and stop being selfish today :-) but man, did it feel good. If you haven't done anything for yourself in a while, take a break and just do it!  Have a wonderful evening!