"...and she loved a little boy."

"There once was a tree and she loved a little boy."- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Have you read this book? I love this book! It is one of my favorites.

All week I've been thinking about the tender story of the tree who gives everything to a 

boy that she loves.

This past week, we here in our small community, suffered a tragic loss of a young man. He was 16 years old and died from a horrible accident. I didn't know the boy but I know of his family. I have friends who are very close to the family and it just breaks my heart to think of the suffering that his family is going through, as well as all who did know him personally.

Then two days later we learned of another young man, who lived in the town just east of us,  he was found dead from suicide. Another young life gone. Again, I didn't know this boy but a close friend of mine knew him through the school where he attended. 

Last Monday the Preacher was called to go to our high school to help with counseling the kids. He called other ministers to come and help too. Then on Wednesday the Preacher was called again to go to our neighboring community to counsel the kids in the high school there. The kids were lost, they just didn't know what to do. There seemed to be a heaviness in both of our communities.

My heart has been breaking for these mothers. 

In my life I have been working through not being able to see my son since he left for the Army, but this, this I could not even imagine living through this nightmare. 

How, how can a mother endure this?

Just like the Giving Tree, we as mothers give our sons and daughters everything that we possibly can. From the moment that they are conceived our bodies begin giving them nourishment and life. After they are born we continue to give of ourselves, we give them a home to be warm and secure, we give them clothes, we give them food, we give them protection. I think as mothers we live to give our all to our children.

I also think that there is something special about the bond between a mother and a son.

I don't know exactly why or how but it's there, we can feel it.

So when that child is ripped out of your life how can you survive?

I don't know. 

I know that a lot of prayers have gone up to the Lord on behalf of these two mothers. I don't know if there is anything else that really can be done. 

Of course, if you are close to the families, you need to be there as a shoulder to cry on. 

The tears will not end soon.

The Lord is grieving right along side of these mothers. Remember that He too lost a son.

Mothers, if you have sons, or daughters, still at home, cherish every single moment with them. Stop wishing for the day when you will no longer have to change a diaper, stop wishing for the day when they will walk on their own, stop wishing for the day when they can do their own laundry, stop wishing for the day when the house is quiet and you might have some time alone. All of these things will come to past and it will come faster

than you will ever want them to. 

Love them now in whatever stage they are in. Hold them close, be sure to kiss them goodnight and to say prayers with them every night.

And most of all, don't ever stop telling them that YOU LOVE THEM!

Love and Prayers from the Preacher and I