Hurting heart

The news lately has my heart hurting. So many parents losing children...to senseless violence...tragic accidents...and the judgement that sometimes follows. I can understand how these parents are hurting, but I certainly don't claim to know what they're going through.

I know and understand the pain of losing a child.  But I don't know what it's like to lose a child like those who lost a child in a mass shooting, or on a vacation to what is supposed to be the most magical place on earth.  We had a little time to process our loss...we had time with Henry to say goodbye. Our loss was unexpected, but not sudden. And although our community knew our story and rallied around us, we were not the center of national (and international) news. We could grieve and process in private. There were no investigations to deal with...no news reporters knocking on our door...just a funeral to plan, deep mourning to sort through.

But knowing the loss of a child, my heart breaks for all of these parents and families. I'm not sure there is a greater pain than the one those who have lost a child know every...single...day. Their lives will never be the same, and right now they may not even know how they'll get through one day, not to mention a lifetime. 

As humans, we want to reach out...we want to help. But perhaps the best way to help is simply to think of and pray for these families. They have family and friends to rally around and support them. Let's surround them with loving thoughts, and show support by putting more good into the world. Help your neighbor...reach out to a friend...say I love you to someone. There's enough bad in the world...so let's work on the good.

And in the interest of bringing smiles and good...who can resist a happy Henry picture?? Hopefully in time all who have lost a child can find some comfort in happy memories. ❤️