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Some days there are no words, just heavy sighs,

The unthinkable happens.

Without warning or explanation, the landscape of a life is drastically changed forever.

And like watching a movie in slow motion, there is nothing that those watching can do to stop the devastation that is about to occur.

Slowly, painfully the next moments unravel.

An ending has been rewritten for what was supposed to be a beautiful story.

It rocks us to our foundation and leaves us feeling vulnerable.

Because deep in our spirits, at any given moment, we know that the main character in the story could be us.

In the scene that is unfolding, those surrounding the main character have few lines.

But the scene does not work without the supporting cast.

In moments when life is unbearably hard, we become unsure of our lines.

We are not scripted with what to say.

We are not called to have all the answers.

We are simply called to be present.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

When we read the story of Lazarus, Jesus approaches Mary his sister as she is grieving for her brother.

Jesus, moved with compassion, weeps with her.

The briefest line in the Bible is one of the most powerful.

“Jesus wept.” John 11: 35

No speeches or sermons.

Jesus stays present with Mary as she mourns.

He stays with her in the hard places.

His presence was a gift far greater than any words He could have offered.

A model of how to be part of the supporting cast for those we love facing unspeakable grief.

Some days there are no words, just heavy sighs.

Be present in the hard places.

Because two are better than one.

Picture this…

An empty gymnasium, lined with folding chairs on the floor and bleachers waiting to be filled by anxious parents.

Today is Moving Up Day.

Later this afternoon, the class of 2019 will take their spots at the front of the gym, with the class of 2020 filing in directly behind them.  This time honored tradition is an opportunity for seniors to pass the baton to juniors.

Awards and scholarships are handed out as students are recognized for their achievements, all the while parents are drinking in the picture of their son or daughter in the final moments of their senior year.

Excuse me while I clear the lump from my throat.

At the very end, the senior class rises up from their seats, and marches as a group out of the school.  The juniors then move up into the senior seats.

And just like that, they are out of our sight.

Truthfully, the weeks leading up to graduation have been pretty emotional for me.

I am pretty confident I am not alone in my ugly crying moments here.

But those moments are not brought on by what I can see now, but of what I cannot picture around the corner.

No picture on my son’s first day of college classes (although I would totally embrace the idea if he allowed it).  

There will be no gymnastics to get everyone out the door in the morning, no  “make me something yummy, Mom” after school, and heartbreakingly no more “I need a proper hug” in the evenings before heading up to his room.

Picturing him not here…it is hard to find the words.

But I remember the day that I found out I was pregnant with Jon.

And that was when my prayers for him began.

For a healthy delivery, for those nights when he was teething, for his first steps, heading to preschool, into the big school….

And now as he takes these next steps moving up and moving away.

“I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.”  1 Samuel 1:27

What a glorious gift it has been to be your Mom throughout these past 18 years.

And I will continue to pray for you and your friends, even in the moments I can no longer see.

I know that He will be watching over our children.

Parents, He will be watching over us, too.

There is a glorious adventure waiting just for you.

Picture this…..