Triumphant

Tuesday night, I attended the memorial service for a 5 day, no, a 9 month and 5 day old baby girl named Elsie.  Because of a comment my friend, Lee Camp, made in a class several weeks ago, as I sat at that service, I was struck by all the evidences of gracious hospitality extended to her.

When Elsie's parents learned that they were expecting another baby (she has a big brother, Andrew) I am sure they were thrilled.  I am certain that Elsie's mom took extra care of herself in order to care for her growing baby.  About halfway through the pregnancy, they learned that Elsie had a chromosomal abnormality called Trisomy 18.  All evidence says that Trisomy 18 is not compatible with life.  The fact that Elsie's life outside the womb would be very brief did not dissuade her mother from continuing to take care of herself to take care of her baby.  Elsie was delivered by C-section on November 20, 2012.  She died in her father's arms in the wee hours of the morning on November 25, 2012. 

That is not the end of Elsie's story.  She was a blessed child.  She could not have been shown any greater love as evidenced by the wonderful slide show at her memorial.  I am fairly certain that she did not spend many moments outside the arms of someone who deeply loves her...her parents, her brother, her grandparents, her uncle and aunts. 

I will not offer empty platitudes or meaningless words of explanation or "comfort."  There are none.  Elsie's life was brief, but oh, so important.  Her parents are grieving, but they are not destroyed.  They will not merely survive this.  They will triumph over this loss.   They will cherish and hold in their hearts, forever, the time they had with Elsie.  She will always be an important part of their family. 

God walks with this family.  They accepted His invitation to join them on their life's journey.  I imagine they have a few questions for Him, but they will choose, in faith, to trust.

So for today, I wish you triumph over life's pains, I wish you wisdom in choosing your traveling companions, and I wish you

blessings