– sisters and cousins – into a church?
And what do you feel when you hear the crying of children, parents and friends of the child being brought in?
What do you feel when you see that death has claimed the life of a child – someone younger than yourself?
I felt nothing and a whole lot of things.
Nothing because i tried to block out everything
A whole lot of things because it makes no sense
- Or does it?
If I said it made no sense i’d be making no sense
And if i said it made sense i’d be insane and wouldn’t be making sense either.
How do you make sense of such?
Can you even make sense of it?
Can one make sense at the death of a child?
I can’t.
Why does a child, loved by her family and friends, die so young?
Some people would say “because God wanted her to be with Him” but even so – WHY would God want her to be with him when her family is still here and would miss her so much? WHY would God do such a thing – leaving parents and siblings to mourn and cry for her? WHY would a loving God do that?
To me it makes no sense that a girl would die so young and NO ONE can actually make sense of it or understand why but what i do know, with certainty, is that despite the fact that i cannot understand why, I KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, that she is with God in heaven – praying for her family and watching over her siblings and parents.
The funeral was beautiful – a church PACKED with people and a most prayerful atmosphere.
Everyone was in shock or tears and those who weren't were choking on the emotions they were holding back – yet even despite this sadness of a parting so painful, faith is victorious.
As sisters and cousins carried the girl out, the church was filled with a joyous song whose words echoed this faith:
“and i will run to You
...yes i will run the race,
till i see your face,
OH LET ME LIVE IN
THE GLORY OF YOUR GRACE!”
It is no wonder that Kristie was led out amidst so much clapping.
Death, where is your victory?
Death, where is your sting?
I know that Kristie’s family isn’t reading this blog – or certainly not at this time anyway – however i have written this post in prayer for Kirstie’s family as they go through this hard time of physically parting with their loved one. They know, as we know, that though she has joined God and the saints in heaven, she remains in thoughts and hearts, never to be forgotten.
Kristie was a happy 16-year old child whose innocence remained despite her age. She was a joy to her parents, siblings, relatives, teachers and friends. Sometimes she needed some extra medical care and attention but all of that she repaid through her friendly, loving and caring personality. The choir of children singing at Mass was in tears – and they weren’t the only ones: the whole congregation was.
But at that moment a new voice in heaven joined with that of the angels, singing praises to God, smiling as He embraced her in His Arms. Glad in heaven, she didn't think of herself though, for from that moment on she whispered prayers for her family as she will continue to do, unceasingly.
Natalie and Brian, Jade, Gail and Zak, those who go before us to God are saints: you have a beautiful saint in heaven.
