9.10.2011

On Hugging Your Kids ...

Of all the times to feel included, there is one club that we all never hope to join. It's a place where sadly, my sweet friend Anna, unwillingly entered last Thursday night.

When she lost her 12 year old son in the floods in Virginia.

I've never had a friend lose a child. There are no words. Nothing of comfort to say. No way to help make it better.

Like my other friends who knew her well, I am heartbroken.

I saw Anna just a few weeks ago when she came out to visit me and see the new house. We were both bummed that we didn't make it to the BlogHer conference in San Diego that very weekend, where we finally met the year prior in New York City. We went to lunch and laughed. Took self portraits and sent them to our friends. We made plans to get our families together...

There are so many things that I wanted to finally write about this week. The girls back to school nights. My screw up with Grady's preschool. The school bus debacle. But right now none of it seems to matter.

What does matter is that I'm now going to a funeral for a friend's young child next week. To offer support for her family. To grieve for a boy taken far too soon. To remember and to pray about how precious life is.

I am sickened. I am heartbroken. And I'm hugging my kids extra hard these days.

21 comments:

Amanda said...

Jill,
Friends of ours unexpectedly lost their twelve year old son in January. We knew the family well - he had been played on the same football team with Jake, his dad was one of Jake's football coaches, our older boys had played on the same HS lacrosse team, the mom and I were on the lacrosse board together and both sets of siblings were in the same grade at the same schools. Needless to say, I've been where you are. It's horrible. The only thing that is any comfort is knowing how many people loved and cared for both the son and the family. It does make us stop and think about what is important, but it's at such a huge price. So yes, we remember to hug our babies, appreciate them, tell them how much they mean to us. And being there for your friend, it matters. My heart is with you and them, I'm crying all over again.

Daniela Swider said...

So absolutely heartbreaking! I am so sorry for your friend's loss!

Christy said...

This is the first time anyone I know has lost a child too. It's just inconceivable. Heartbreaking. I so wish I could attend the service with you next with; if you speak with Anna please give her a giant hug from me. xo

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

That is heartbreaking. I am so very sorry for their loss.

Take care,
Pam

Connie said...

I am so sorry for your friend's loss. It is unimaginable. I will be saying special prayers for peace and strength, for the family, and for you, as you all work your way through these coming difficult times.

Marinka said...

I'm so sorry. I wish I had the words, anything to give. xo

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I'm still reeling from this - that something like this could happen to Anna (or to anyone I love). It does make you stop and think...appreciate...but like Amanda said above, at such a huge price... I would give the lesson and the gratitude for "this one more day" back if it could bring him back for her. In a heartbeat.

I'm so glad I will be with you at the service.

Melissa V said...

We lost my godson/ringbearer the day after our wedding. He was seven. Eventually, you'll stop hurting ALL of the time. Eventually.

anymommy said...

Love you, Jill. Please will you say a small prayer just from me at the service? I wish I could be there.

Alexandra said...

I wish I could be there in person, to give Anna a hug, and whisper in her ear, that we're all here for her.

Even though it doesn't help, what else can we do??

I can't imagine what else we can do.

Kash said...

So sorry.

Heidi said...

It is just so sad and tragic and senseless.
My heart goes out to Anna and her precious family.

Ann Imig said...

So glad she has your friendship and a strong faith community to help her and her family through this awful trial.

So many of us are sharing in a tiny piece of her pain, and I thank you and her other close friends for joining us all together.


Heartbreaking.

Varda said...

Neither my brain nor my heart can make any sense of this... senseless, senseless loss.

I am so glad you will be there with her, representing the many of us here in the bloggosphere who can only offer our feelings of empathy, our heartfelt prayers and sorrow from afar.

mosey (kim) said...

No words left. But prayers and love? Those I've got. xx kim

Mom24 said...

I think with Jacob being 11, this is hitting so close to home. I know it will mean a lot to her for you to be there, not just this week but in the days ahead, the emails, the phone calls. It's truly unimaginable and I will definitely be hugging my kids closer.

You're all in my prayers.

Bfiles said...

this is so tragic. our thoughts are with her.

I can't find my blog said...

Please give her a hug for me today.

Issa said...

I am heartbroken for her too.

Much love to you today my friend.

mrscravitz said...

My heart cries out for Anna for her loss. No words....but I can say a lot of prayers!

Loukia said...

It truly is the most heartbreaking thing of all. There really are no words, you know. As a mother, I know I can feel her pain, I know you can, too. I know it's just a horrific thing her entire family is going through, and she continues to be in my prayers. What a beautiful family, what a lovely mother, what a sad, sad story. One that is so hard to fully understanding... the unfairness of it all. It's too much.

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