Wednesday, April 8, 2015

In the Arms of an Angel

Thanks to everyone who entered my Giveaway for the $10 Amazon gift card. The raffle has ended and the winner is....

Magen Corrie.

Congratulations, Magen!

That was so much fun that I may have to do more Giveaways!

On to a heavier note...



A couple weeks ago, tragedy hit our little rural North Carolina town. A twelve-year-old boy from my son's school took his own life. As the shock wears off and the questions roll in, I think every parent is asking themselves, "How could this happen?" And "What can I do to prevent this from happening to one of my children?"

When I first learned of the tragic news, I just wanted to hold my boys close and never let go. I wanted to tell them a million and one times how much I loved them. In those first few days after the death of this sweet boy, I couldn't hug my children enough. And tears flowed freely whether I wanted them to or not.

I think it hit me hard because the young boy was so close to my own son's age, and the family lives right down the street in an affluent neighborhood. This is a family who only wanted the best for their children. A family who seemed to have it all. And all of a sudden I wondered, "How well do I know my own son? Has he ever felt that lonely, overwhelmed? What kind of pressure am I putting on my own children?" My heart ached not only for the family and friends this child left behind, but also for the pain this boy must have felt. Enough pain that he decided to take his life because of it. Obviously none of us know all the details leading up to his decision to take his life, but what a tragic, tragic accident.

This tragedy occurred at a time when I was writing a story about a troubled boy. And even though I will never be able to capture that kind of pain, I did try to draw on the sorrow I felt in the aftermath of such a tragedy. I only hope I did the story justice.

So, hug your children tight and never forget to tell them how much you love them. And even more importantly, how proud you are of all they've accomplished. You never know, that might be the one thing they need to hear more than anything else in this world. And please, say a prayer for this family as they try to pick up the pieces of their life.


16 comments:

  1. Prayers for his family. How very sad and tragic. I feel so bad for his parents. There is such a feeling of guilt, a feeling that they missed a sign or something. The sad, and scary, thing is, young people are rash. They make decisions fast sometimes not giving families enough time to intervene. You're right to hug them close, Kristin. It's a reminder of just how fragile life is.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Definitely say a prayer for that family.
    Hug your boys and talk to them. Get them to talk to you. With love and trust, they'll know they can open up to you.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is so heartbreaking. Tragic and very sad. Sending prayers and support. I lost my five year old cousin due to a drunk driver, so I can understand losing someone too young too soon. It's a pain that never fades.

    And thank you for the chance to win. I am honored.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my goodness that is so sad and yes prayers are sent to them. Communication is key as well as love and patience. Knowing that they can go to you if they need to talk. Remind them that the next day you will hear the birds sing and it will be beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's terrible. Sometimes the pain is so great that one can't see the way through.

    ReplyDelete
  6. There is nothing sadder than a young life lost because he thought things would never be better.
    Prayers for his family.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, gosh, this is so sad. Suicide in general is already tragic enough, but for it to happen to someone so young...wow. Just heartbreaking. :(

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is truly tragic! Will keep them in my prayers. I tell my teen boys everyday that I love them or sometimes I text them, but they do know I LOVE them:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is a horrible tragedy. I hope and pray that his family receives support and comfort. I tell my daughters that I love them at least twice a day . . . I know they think I'm over-mushy, but I just keep telling them anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Kristen - gosh how very sad .. and just a desperate story to tell .. and so so sad for the family - they must going through a dreadful time .. and no wonder you're wanting to hug your little ones ... and cry too - so difficult to comprehend .. with thoughts - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  11. How sad that is. I make it a point to show my kids my love for them. To give of myself and open my heart to them. I can feel when something is bothering them and I sit with them to help sort out their heartache--whatever it may be. I'm sorry for this tragedy that you and your family endured--as well as those around and especially the victim's family. :(

    (dropping by from Alex's blog, he's spotlighted you if you didn't know!)

    Elizabeth Mueller
    AtoZ 2015
    My Little Pony

    ReplyDelete
  12. oh my goodness...you never think these things will happen so close to home right? This is such sad, awful news! Praying for his family. <3

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's so sad. I once heard suicide described as making a bad choice on your lowest day. I'm sure he was a beautiful boy with a lovely spirit. I'm so sorry for his family and friends.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Terrible and sad. I feel for their loss. There will be hugging when I get home.

    ReplyDelete
  15. How devastating. It breaks my heart to hear of someone so young taking their own life. It is tragic and sad. I am a mom of three teenagers and one of my daughters, my sixteen year old, Blake is my only surviving triplet. Her sisters died at a very young age. They all three had meningitis , RSV and pneumonia. I am grateful and I thank god each day that Blake survived, but I will never get over the loss of her sisters. Her birthday is always a tough day because I celebrate her life and her birthday, but I silently mourn her sisters and wonder what it would be like for all three of them to be here. You make such valid points. How well do we know our own kids. I like to think that I am extremely close to my kids and I know everything about them, but what mom doesn't fool herself into believing that. My son is thirteen and he seems to be struggling with that age much more than my older girls did. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I am too hard on him or if I place too high of expectations on him. This tragic story has definitely prompted me to pay closer attention to their lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing your story, Melissa. I am amazed by your courage. And you're so right, what mother doesn't want to believe that she knows what's going on in her child's life.

      After this young boy's death, I began to wonder if my husband and I are sometimes too hard on my oldest son. If maybe our expectations are too high. Of course I want my children to reach for the stars, but I don't ever want them to feel like they can never live up to my expectations. Definitely a wake-up call for me.

      Delete

I LOVE reading your comments!! Thanks for taking the time to leave one!

BLOGSPOT TEMPLATE BY DESIGNER BLOGS