Saturday, April 4, 2009

Tragedy & Pain

As I have stated before, losing a child is something that a parent should never experience. For 10 months we have struggled each day, slowly learning how to live again without Evan. Last Saturday, I sat and cried with a mother who had just lost her 7-year old daughter. Being 10 months into our journey, I myself had few words for her. I personally know that there is NOTHING that would be comforting to a grieving parent. I looked into her eyes only to see the intense fear and pain left from such a devastating loss. This is the same pain that Nate and I have carried since we lost Evan. It breaks my heart to know that someone I know has to go through this awful journey. Nate and I wanted so badly just to tell both of them that everything will be alright, but the reality is that it will never be the same. Just like us, they will have to take baby steps and trust that God will lead the way.

Going through the wake and funeral was like Evan's all over again. She even had the same little white casket with gold angels on the ends. Nate and I did a pretty good job of holding it together as much as we possibly could. It was really God giving us strength! All through our ordeal, we have been enormously blessed with loving and supportive people. Now it is our turn to help someone else. All I can do is pray for God to guide them through the next difficult days, months, and, years without their daughter.

At the end of the funeral they played the song "Praise You In This Storm", by Casting Crowns. Since Evan died, I have kept this song in my heart because it reminds me to continue to be faithful to God, even in our darkest hours. I truly admire the parents for playing that song at their daughter's funeral. While tragedy and pain are my reality, I still count the many blessings in our life each and every day.

5 comments:

Kari said...

You are such a strong and wonderful person to be there for them like that. I admire your courage and your willingness to help someone else begin this terrible journey. My thoughts are with all of you!

Anonymous said...

Daven, your light is leading the way to help them heal. You and Nate were so strong and gracious to be with them during this horrible time.

How blessed they are to have supporting them in only the way you know how.

Anonymous said...

Daven,

Your friends are so lucky to have you and Nate there to support them. I can't imagine the strength it must have taken you to attend the services knowing it would be such a reminder of your own terrible loss. I'm thinking of you as we all continue on this journey.

Stacey said...

How is their little boy doing?

Ella Faith's Mommy said...

I lost my baby girl on December 18, 2008 - she was born and passed within the hour. We also had a white casket with gold angels on the ends - somehow it just seemed the right choice. My prayers are with your family!!

"While we try and teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about."