Comments on: weight

By: Renee

Renee — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:15:24 +0000

Oh, me too. The thing for me is that the very day this tragedy happened, I very nearly backed into my four year old because she decided to leave the safe place I had put her, and ran behind my car to tell me something. I had a “premonition” if you will to back out super slow, with eagle eyes, and when I saw this little shadow, I stopped. Then there was my baby, standing next to the drives side window, with her eager face. Later, when I heard about the Chapman family, I crumpled and cried. I had been shaking all day. The heaviness you describe has stayed with me, and I thank you for putting it so beautifully on your blog.

By: (((((HUGS))))) sandi

(((((HUGS))))) sandi — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:37:54 +0000

I echo that you’ve shared my sentiments exactly~much better than I could express myself. Prayers going up! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

By: jabster

jabster — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:11:04 +0000

You phrased it perfectly. It is a horribly heavy feeling, and I am surprised at how deeply I feel the loss for people I don’t really know.

I am an anesthesiologist, and one of the scrub techs came into my O.R. to tell me the morning after it happened. I spent all day trying to be professional and not cry.

I have 4 children, including a 4 year old daughter from China and a teenage daughter born to me. I also have a good friend who is a pediatrician and who accidentally backed over her own child, killing him.

The whole thing is so heart wrenching and so awful to even consider. I just ache for the Chapman family, especially for that young man. My prayers are with the entire family and especially with the poor brother.

Ugh, ugh, ugh.

By: Worlds Greatest Mommy

Worlds Greatest Mommy — Sat, 24 May 2008 17:08:07 +0000

Perfectly descirbed my emotions as well. I sat like you, and got all swirled up in fear, sadness, and even a little guilt that my 5 cuties were all still here with me. And the only thing that gave me comfort, was when I finally let go of my thoughts, and began to pray. Why does it take me so long to remember the comfort that brings? Guess I’m still learning.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Fri, 23 May 2008 21:42:41 +0000

Sigh. I have had them on my mind all day as well. I just keep praying for them.

By: Alecia Chaffee

Alecia Chaffee — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:47:56 +0000

Dear Mary,
You have once again so eloquently put into words my exact thoughts throughout yesterday and even through the night. Still today my heart is torn as I look at my just turned 6yr.old daughter in all of her innocence. Our family is so saddened, and we all prayed for their sweet family last night at bedtime prayers. So, here we are,trudging on through all the emotions and trying to understand it all. Always knowing our God is BIGGER than all of this and He will carry them through.

Alecia Chaffee

By: Dawn in OR

Dawn in OR — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:25:35 +0000

Yes, Mary this is so hard. I am glad you posted this. What I have been dealing with also is that my oldest a son is soon to leave for the war. He is a man and a soldier. And my baby. We all suffer deep hurt in this life. But by holding each other up in Prayer we can make it through to our real home. How can I face my son in the war? I have felt so helpless and weak. But I can make it because my savior goes with me every step I take and every tear He knows. God hold this dear family as you hold us all.

By: Lysa TerKeurst

Lysa TerKeurst — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:07:24 +0000

Hi Sweet Mary,

I have had that same weight. We too, live in the country, have lots of kids, teenage drivers, long gravel driveway… the whole scenario.

I wrote about “deep grief” today trying to process my own response to this ‘weight.’

Thank you for your honest thoughts in this post…

By: Megan(FriedOkra)

Megan(FriedOkra) — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:43:49 +0000

When these tragedies happen, I often think, “If people knew before they became parents how fearful and sad they’d feel whenever anyone lost a child or watched him suffer, or how vulnerable a parent feels 24/7 to have a part of himself/herself so exposed and in constant jeopardy, would any of us EVER have that first child?” I don’t know that I could have, had I REALLY understood the change it brings about in my perspectives or just my EASE in this world. But now I know the joy it brings, too, and the soul-opening love and gratitude, and I think, YES, THIS IS SO INEXPLICABLY HARD, but it is also SO SUPREMELY WORTH IT.

I ache for them too, Mary. And honestly, if I could find room and a way to stuff Bean back inside my protective womb, I think I would, in times like these.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:37:02 +0000

My heart has also been weighed down with this news. While I don’t have a teenage son, I have and almost five year old little girl (and a seven year old girl) who I’ve been hugging extra close since I heard this news.

Having been through the loss of loved ones through tragic circumstances (as I know you’ve experienced as well), I’m reminded of all of those sudden feelings…the sick-to-the stomach feeling of pain, the hot tears and the anguish. God alone knows how to bind up these kinds of wounds, and He does. Having our hearts tenderized with sadness and sympathy can allow us to sing our praise songs to our always worthy God, even more fervently. I suggested to some friends yesterday that we praise on the Chapman’s behalf – inflicting blows to the enemy with every refrain! It will be the power of God sent out in answer to the prayers and praise of the body of Christ that protects the Chapman family from the guilt, “if-only’s” and bad memories that the enemy wants to torment them with. Let’s put on our “armor” and sing to our awesome God!