When So Many Are Hurting...

When a community is small, you either know someone, or if you don't, everyone you know knows them. And when tragedy hits, it hits hard. So many words have been shared, and behind each word, a tear has fallen, memories shared, hearts broken.

Since yesterday I read post after post, and all contained the same message, shock, devastation, an impossible attempt to understand the loss, understand how it could have happened. When lights are extinguished--especially young flames that burn so bright--we question the reality we thought we understood. We look at life through a different perspective, one of pain, of confusion, of inexplicable sorrow.

We have all lost ones we love. It's the part of life we don't necessarily celebrate. I've noticed something as I've attended funerals and memorials over the years. The pain we feel is a direct correlation to the joy we've felt because of the person we knew. The greater the joy, unfortunately, the greater the pain.

We've been told to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose;

A time to keep, and a time to cast away,

A time to rend, and a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;

A time of war, and a time of peace.

Now we weep, and mourn. It's only because previously we've laughed and danced, embraced and loved. Now it is a time to heal. Soon will be a time of peace. 

It is the way of all things. Sleep well. little one--may your bright flame never die.