My daughter Kelsey sent me a text message on Friday....
"Mom, can I make a card for Ben when I get home?" (Ben is the boy from her class who lost his brother to a shooting accident several days ago.)
"Of course, you can!" I answered her. And I offered to help her with it that evening. I should have known... she didn't need my help!
She found my "In His Name" stamps from Our Craft Lounge, and made this card using one of the beautiful crosses from the set. Inside the card... well, I'm still just amazed at what she wrote. She's just been so worried about Ben and what he must be going through, and she filled this card with reassurances to him that it wasn't his fault and was just an accident. She offered many times to be available if he needs to talk and reminders to "just pray to God." I wanted to publish what she wrote in it's entirety, but decided it's personal and she meant it for Ben, not Mom's blog readers.
I appreciate so much all the prayers you have offered for this family in our community! I know it has helped, and the family will heal but of course never forget. We were cheered to know that Nick's two brothers attended the high school basketball game last night, in hopes that our team was going to earn a trip to the state tournament. Unfortunately, that will have to wait until next year.
I mentioned the other day that the high school kids all wore camoflauge to school on Friday in memory of Nick. There was a great article about their remembrance in our local paper yesterday. You can read it here, if you'd like. There's a great picture of the kids, too. The kids also wore camo and hunter orange at the basketball game last night, and the team had camo patches on their uniforms. (Nick's obituary can be read here.)
God bless you all for your compassion for a family you've never met! Have a wonderful, blessed day!