The recent Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy is too much…. just too much for any parent to think about, too many young lives lost.
Anger, Sadness, Fear, Worry… just a few of the varied emotions that rushed through my veins when my husband passed the news on to me Friday morning. I wasn’t watching TV, I was working on my computer, all social media turned off, working on photos in between loads of laundry before I needed to pick up the twins at pre-school. The news took me by surprise and I didn’t want to believe it and I couldn’t get to my babies fast enough.
Now that I’ve hugged, kissed and snuggled all weekend with my children, I’m looking for anything positive to grab onto, any inkling of hope.
But what is positive about the loss of 12 little girls, 8 little boys and 6 women that loved and cared for them? The one story I am repeating over and over is the story of the brave little soul. This little soul was introduced to me when a friend was dying way too young.
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. She especially enjoyed the love she saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day she saw suffering in the world. She approached God and sadly asked, “Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?”
God paused for a moment and replied, “Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people’s hearts.” The little soul was confused. “What do you mean,” she asked.” God replied, “Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone.”
The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, “The suffering soul unlocks the love in people’s hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed.
I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this – it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer – to unlock this love – to create this miracle – for the good of all humanity.”
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain herself. With her wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, “ I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people’s hearts! I want to create that miracle!” God smiled and said, “You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you…….{insert each and every name noted below this story}.”
God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and then embraced. In parting, God said, “Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be brought back to heaven. Until then, you enjoy your life and those around you.
This story helped me through my mother’s battle and death from cancer and now again. When my mother died… the love and compassion was directed toward me for I was the one suffering…. today my love and compassion is directed toward the victims’ families in Newton, CT…. and toward my own children. Everyone in the nation has been touched even around the world. I hope the love and compassion fueled by this terrible event lasts a long long time.
I have this list of names and I am going to keep it by my bedside so I can include each and every one in my thoughts and pray for their families tonight.
– Charlotte Bacon
– Daniel Barden
– Rachel Davino {teacher}
– Olivia Engel
– Josephine Gay
– Ana M. Marquez-Greene
– Dylan Hockley
– Dawn Hochsprung {teacher}
– Madeleine F. Hsu
– Catherine V. Hubbard
– Chase Kowalski
– Jesse Lewis
– James Mattioli
– Grace McDonnell
– Anne Marie Murphy {teacher}
– Emilie Parker
– Jack Pinto
– Noah Pozner
– Caroline Previdi
– Jessica Rekos
– Avielle Richman
– Lauren Rousseau {teacher}
– Mary Sherlach {teacher}
– Victoria Soto {teacher}
– Benjamin Wheeler
– Allison N. Wyatt
Soon I will post client stories and photos… pictures of happiness and family love. For now, I need to be with my family, share love, joy and the holidays because I am so very blessed to have them in my life.
Cheers~Ivy
