Snow White

Last evening we received news of the unexpected and premature death of a friend's son.  When Andy told me I was so stunned.  My mind could only process my feeble protest at the news.  My heart immediately going to my friend (who has had to endure more heartache in her life than any one aught to in this life having lost her husband tragically  a few years ago as well).  As I slowly began to accommodate the truth in my mind, all I could think of and wish for was to comfort my friend.  I felt helpless and lost.  This boy was special to our family.  My son used to idolize him when the family lived here before their move.  It didn't matter that he was 8 years older than Lyman.  My son didn't seem to realize he was not just as big.  The only thing I could think of doing at that moment that I knew would help was to call together my family and offer up a prayer for theirs.  As we gathered around each other to pray, Andy told the kids who had died.  Our humble prayer was the only thing we could offer for comfort for his mother and sisters.  And yet I knew it would be enough. I know that Heavenly Father was with them during this difficult time.  I knew that he would comfort and keep them. 

Afterwards, Lyman was saddened and wished to curl up in a ball on my lap for a very long time.  I held him and rocked him and wished I would never need to let him go.  I was so grateful for my children, so grateful to have them with me.  The rest of the evening my thoughts and prayers were constantly on my friend and her family.  I could not keep myself from continuously praying for them.  I could easily put myself in her shoes and the hurt and pain I imagined she was suffering would bring me to my knees again. 

This morning I awoke with the same sympathies and cares for my friend weighing down my heart and mind.  I offered up another prayer on her behalf.  When I looked out the window I saw that the snow was falling.  Falling and covering the ground with a beautiful white for the first time this season in Ohio.  It was coming down in big, fat flakes making everything a pure, spotless white.  I cried a prayer of gratitude for the snow, not because I was grateful for the precipitation but because the beauty outside reminded me of the tremendous power of the atonement of Christ to wash away all the ugly and sad in our lives.  To make everything white and pure and beautiful again.  No more shadows or dark places.  I was so thankful at that moment for the knowledge that Jesus died also to endure and know our sorrows.  I was thankful again for the knowledge that as alone as I can imagine my friend feels, she is not alone at all.