Yesterday I joined Vicki and Cliff at the memorial of their son Evan. They were fierce and loving and dignified under circumstances that no parent should ever have to bear. I cannot conceive of what the past few days have been like for them, nor what the future will hold. Only this: I hope that the emotion that charged our little chapel today will warm them when they most need it.
Imagine this: halfway through the service, we heard a rumble and the windows started shaking: a magnitude 5.4 earthquake centered not far away. There was a brief pause while a few people left the room to try to call loved ones, but Evan's Pre-K teacher continued with barely a missed beat as the light fixtures swayed overhead. After her, many more, all with stories to tell, all undeterred by the small matter of a few shifting tectonic plates.
Such was the power in that room: Evan so moved people that it seemed he had the power to move the earth as well.
Today would have been Evan's eighth birthday, which he shared with his twin sister Ellie. I am sending a kiss and a prayer out to the universe for those beautiful, strong children, who spent so little time in this world but left their mark in ways that none of us can yet fully comprehend..
Achingly beautiful, my friend.
Posted by: niksmom | July 30, 2008 at 05:01 AM
Beautiful, Susan. Thank you.
Posted by: kristen | July 30, 2008 at 08:35 AM
i love your kiss and prayer out to the universe. amen.
Posted by: kyra anderson | July 30, 2008 at 12:27 PM
This is so sad, Susan. Sending comfort out to you, Vicki and her family.
Posted by: Cassie | July 30, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Yes.
Love.
Posted by: drama mama | July 31, 2008 at 07:37 AM