It was just as hard as you would imagine it to be.
Even the priest was crying during his homily.
Before going, I was pretty sure this event would be the reason I would be unable to come up with any thankfuls this week.
But sitting there in the pew, surrounded by teachers, parents, and kids from our school, I was flooded with appreciation.
I was so grateful that my kids were in such a place, with these wonderful people, each day. They are surrounded by adults who care for them. By people who are there to support them during the most difficult of situations. To cry for them when they are hurt. Or worse.
And the feeling continued when I left the church.
Instead of feeling weighed down by the grief and sadness I felt for everyone who knew that little boy, I felt more grateful for everything around me. It was a glaring reminder of reality. Everything can change in an instant. We need to appreciate all that we have and all that we get to experience. While I usually do feel grateful, the feeling was more in the forefront of my mind this week.
I was grateful for the day off the grade school kids had this week. (A built-in make up snow day, gone unused since we never had a snow day this past winter.) I took them to a nearby church/park to play some kickball and basketball.
I was grateful for the smiles and hearty welcomes I received from the preschoolers when I subbed in their room.
I was grateful for the many, many trees in bloom. Everywhere I look, pretty flowers cover the trees. I am frequently forced to stop in my tracks to revel in the scent of them.
I was grateful for a job offer, even though I decided to turn it down.
I was grateful for the coaches who help my kids have as much fun as possible in their chosen sports.
I was grateful to be the sponsor for a young lady at her Confirmation.
I was grateful for Buttercup's choice to be confirmed and for the person she chose to be her sponsor.
(For those of you who are not Catholic, Confirmation is the third and final Sacrament of Initiation. Buttercup has chosen to become a full member of the Catholic Church.)
I was grateful for the sunshine. It felt warmer this week.
I am grateful for all of my friends. For the smiles and the laughs and the support and the prayers. Thank you.
So, let me know what you are grateful for this week. Name them. Appreciate those good things.
Have a lovely day!
Your hosts
A Fly on our (Chicken Coop) Wall, Amycake and the Dude, Considerings, Finding Ninee, Getting Literal, I Want Backsies, The Meaning of Me, Thankful Me, Uncharted, The Wakefield Doctrine
Join the Ten Things of Thankful Facebook Group
Every funeral is a sad affair, but a funeral for a child even more so. I am thankful that amid the feelings and emotions that come up during such an event, you still found all those things to be thankful for. Sometimes, it helps gaining a new perspective on our lives, getting grounded again. I wish you much comfort and happy moments in the week to come!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephanie.
DeleteOh, Christine, I'm so sorry. I'm glad that you are able to find the good things in your week, despite the sorrow. Though sad, funerals do seem to have a comforting spirit about them, and always cause me to reflect upon what is truly important. I will keep you and the community in my prayers, and hope that all can find peace and comfort.
ReplyDeleteThank you for those prayers.
DeleteIm sorry Christine. As much as an event like that can be a true life changer in a positive way for most Im sure the loss is devestating. My friends son died at eight two years ago and I remember sitting in the synagogue and feeling the way you did. I was sure at first I wasnt going to get through it without being angry or horribly depressed and while it was sad, I still remember feeling grateful for everyone around me and who loved sammy... I will keep you all in my prayers. peace, me.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hate that you know someone, too. Sad is such an insufficient word for such emotion when a child dies, isn't it?
DeleteLosing a child is a terrible loss. Your post was heartfelt and inspirational and filled with love and caring. Things can change in an instant as you said. I hope the family of the boy can find some peace and gratitude in the situation. Beautiful trees look like God's work to me.
ReplyDeleteThey do, Val. Just being outside, especially this time of year, I feel completely surrounded by God.
DeleteFunerals for children are always so difficult. It just doesn't seem right. I'm so happy you took the high road here.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for so many things. I've a perfect life. It has it's ups and downs, but it's still perfect.
Have a blessed day. :)
From all you write, it does seem you have found a perfect life. It makes me happy to know you are so happy. :)
DeleteSo sad and tragic. It is reminders like this that make me appreciate and try to live every moment without regret.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to the little boy's family.
Any death is certainly a reminder of that, but especially when the death is of someone who hasn't lived a full, long life.
DeleteYour list has touched my heart, reminding me to appreciate to the full what I have at this very moment.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week.
The kids and I stopped on our down and back from the creek today to sniff a neighbor's lilac. I need to plant one of those. How lovely that you could feel appreciative at such a terribly sad event. I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lilac bush. I love when it blooms. It doesn't last long, but it is so pretty while it lasts.
DeleteOne beauty of kids is that they remind you to stop and appreciate such things as the scent of a flower.
Thank you.
I am so sorry for that little boy and his family - it is wonderful when you can witness such love, and togetherness...because of a common bond everyone was able to come forth and aide toward bringing peace, healing and perhaps acceptance, maybe moving on. its wonderful how you were able to see it, feel it, and participate as well.
ReplyDeletethe weather has been quite lovely here too and it's making me smile.
congratulations on Buttercup's Confirmation -
:)
It was overwhelming to see such an outpouring of love from so many people for this family.
DeleteThank you. :)
I've been to a funeral for a not-yet newborn who never had a chance at life and an 18 year old who was just beginning the next stage of his life, but I have never been to one for a child of 8 and I hope I never have to. Prayers to all.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping Ms. Buttercup's soccer team gets to advance to regionals again this year. Any chance?
I hope you never have to, either. I wish no one ever had to...
DeleteActually, there is a chance. Bryan and I were just talking about that. Her team is doing very well. Since I won't be rushing back to get to England, if we do go, perhaps we can stay a bit longer. :)
YESSSS!!!!
DeleteI can't even begin to imagine what pain everyone who attended that funeral must have felt. Praying that the beauty of this time of year can bring even some tiny comfort to all.
ReplyDeletewhat an awful thing. and, can there be anything more difficult (and yet, in the end, rewarding) than to see the good in the here and now from a place as far away as a funeral for a child.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't adequate words to describe how awful and painful and devastating the loss of that child must be for his family, his friends. So very, very sad.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually do this but I struggle with how to describe what's in my head. I feel in a similar way as Clark.
From this tragedy came a gift.
I'm glad you enjoyed your kids and the warmth and the trees....and the smiles of the little ones:)
Wow...I'm so sorry for your loss. I cannot even imagine how difficult that Mass was for all involved. But I so admire how you very determinedly decided to focus on the gratitude and not the despair
ReplyDelete