Let me preface this by saying. I know you will all understand how difficult this is, as we get so close to our students, families and communities. Things like I am about to tell you about cut to the core of our being.
I have had a very heavy heart all week. This past Sunday a former student of mine (that I literally helped raise her and her younger sister). ( no mom in the picture in their school years) Was killed in a car accident. She leaves her husband (her high school sweetheart), and 4 kids ages 15-4. She is also my sister's niece (by marriage). There is a slew of community members who adored her in many ways.
This radiant young lady was a scholar student. All while raising a baby that she had when she was 15,( My sister in law was one of the ladies in the community the rolled up her sleeves and rolled out her heart to help her get through high school and raise her baby.)
She was a fiery redhead and got Melanoma later in high school. Had extensive surgery, chemo.
Made me so proud then she became an RN, and then a Nurse Practitioner in the last 2 years. Working at our small local hospital and was having a stellar impact on her profession and patients.
Her funeral is tomorrow at noon. My brother is preaching the service and my sister is playing the piano. It's gonna be nearly impossible for them, and everyone else to get through it. Especially lift her family up.
(Her little sister that still calls me "Mom", is also an RN. Working in the same hospital with her. Just got accepted into Nurse Practitioner school.)
If you pray, I am pleading for you to lift everyone up. If you don't pray. Can you please think extra happy thoughts? Gonna be unreal. Still numb, shocked and stunned.
I am not one to think that many things are impossible to get through. But, this has to be close. Thanks.
You know Cattz, the line forming to ask God why things like this happen is long and winding. I'm in it, you're in it, and most likely, everyone you know is in it. Why things like this happen to such wonderful people who make such a positive impact on everyone they come into contact with. Why???!!! Why are these angels on earth taken from us while the most useless examples of humanity, who have only contributed pain and suffering to those around them, who only draw from society, and literally have no identifiable reason to exist continue to live on and on and on and on...I don't get it. There are absolutely no words to minimize the grief and sense of loss that you and your community will bear and endure henceforth. Just know we are with you, arm in arm, in spirit. You can endure this, you will endure this, and only time will provide the coping mechanism to decrease the pain. Go to God frequently, be mad, rage at Him for doing this, He's a big God and can handle it, ask Him for strength, ask him for anything; hold each other tightly and try to celebrate the brief time on earth this beautiful person shared with you. This really hurts.
I used to be angry at God for all the suffering of the world in general and my own pain in particular. AFter some years, though, I began to realize that I wasnt quite so upset with Him. I had come to accept that there are many things in this life that we don't get to know, don't get to understand. Innocents suffering and the loss of our parents, siblings, children, and loved ones are hard to take. Take them we must, though, What else can we do.
Personally, I think that by the time we get to see God face to face, we won't care about or remember the hard times here. Don't know for sure, just my present view.
OP, I am praying for you and yours. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for this severe loss.
My heart felt condolences and prayers for you and her family. Sometimes we don't understand why things happen. While I am at a loss for words, I am reminded of Isaiah 55:8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. It sounded like she was an angel on earth. I pray that God will help you all through this difficult time.
Condolences to everyone involved! Prayers and hugs to all! The question of how you'll get through is only possible by God's grace and love! All and only are things possible through Him and He knows best! Many say you'll get over it with time but we never do....things will always be different but we find ways to carry on.
Specializes in School Nurse. Having conversations with littles..
I am sitting here on a quiet evening. Reading all these posts. Each one meant a lot, thank you each for taking the time to leave encouraging words. The service was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful and brilliant young lady.
Natasha, RN, BSN
77 Posts
I am so sorry for your loss and what you and the family are going through. Many prayers, thoughts, and hugs are headed your way!!!