In the middle of it all

It seems like the world is burning for so many people.
Fires ravaging thousands of acres in the Western States,
Anger and frustration at the leaders of our country choking us like smoke,
And still the charring grip of financial insecurity and uncertainty claws at the necks of too many decent human beings.
And then, out of nowhere, in the middle of so much strife, life comes to a terrible halt.
It isn't fair.
It shouldn't happen.

People I love are grieving for someone else they love
Who have had to give their baby back into the arms of angels.
Another set of parents 
Who would give anything to not have to say goodbye.


It brings back memories and opens wounds.
No one should ever have to hurt like that. Ever.
Sleepless nights, empty arms, wishing the nightmare was really only a nightmare.

It  makes me wish I could reach out and heal their hurt.

I just hope and pray that every broken-hearted parent who weeps for the loss of their precious one knows
That they were valiant enough to be the parents of a pure and perfect child.

I know they don't want to be.
I didn't want to be either.
I didn't want to be brave or strong and I hated being told that I was.
Because I wanted more to have my baby back than to be thought of as "strong."

But dear, wonderful friends who are forced to share in this grief:
Please know that there are people who love you and are praying for you
That don't even know you.

Our babies; our beloved, celestial children
Are waiting for us and loving us.

Nothing fixes this hurt and I'm not going to pretend that my words are much help.
Cry. Be angry. Hate the world. Cry some more.
But in the middle of it all, love the ones you have. And pray. Please, please pray
Because our Father in Heaven and his Son
are what got me through. And They still get me through.