I have lost a friend. My wife has lost someone who for much of her life was as close to being a sister as you can get without being joined by blood, and as maid of honor one of the very few she choose to stand with her at the altar during our wedding.
I was about to board a plane yesterday, due to fly back from a conference in Albany, when the emails started coming across my blackberry -- C. was 37 years old, nine months pregnant, and had suffered a serious heart attack. The baby had been delivered, but C. was still in very grave condition.
During the flight, I started praying, and the more I prayed the more discomfort I felt in my own chest. It was a feeling I couldn't explain, other than perhaps I was somehow taking a bit of the pain onto myself.
There was no news overnight or this morning, and we continued to pray that things were getting better. And then late this morning, the news that C. had passed away. What's worse, we've now heard that she had had three heart attacks in recent days, and that as a result of oxygen deprivation the baby is now in a much more guarded condition.
She was so young, and I can't even begin to imagine what her husband must be going through. What was once the promise of a growing family is now one that must be overwhelmed by grief over the loss and worry over the new little life that came into the world.
When you say your prayers today, please include C. and the young family she leaves behind -- and my wife, who is going through a type of loss that I don't think she's ever experienced.
10 comments:
I am so sorry.
After I received your email yesterday I prayed a lot - for C's family and for A. Last night at church, I asked for prayers from the congregation for the whole situation and the entire group of about 30 people joined in a circle and offered up prayers for you and A and for C's family. Know that, as hard as it seems, there is a reason for this - we may not know it just yet, but God knows. Just remember you are never outside of God's love and care. Please convey my deepest sympathies to C's family and know that you and A are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sad for you all, don't really know what to say as I can't think of any appropriate - just love to you all and of course prayers x.
No words Matt.. just heartfelt sorrow for your loss.. blessings of comfort to all.
This is so very sad--. I'm sorry. Prayers for comfort.
Oh, my friend, on reading your post, I gasped at the awfulness, the horror, the terrible sadness of it all.
May God be with you and may the Holy Spirit somehow bring you peace.
Love,
Nancy, Near Philadelphia
I'm late reading this, but wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I've prayed for C's family and yours. Do you have an update on the baby?
Carrie
Thanks to everyone for their prayers, thoughts, and comments. It's been a difficult time for A., but she continues to work her way through her feelings. In response to Carrie's question, we're still waiting on current news about the baby; following neurological tests last week, the family was given two different opinions on the child's prognosis (as far as how severe any potential brain damage might be), one not so severe and one more severe. Haven't heard anything from the family in a bit, but we're still praying for some good news.
im late here but wanted to say very sorry for the loss and will pray for the baby and your wife
What a tragic loss for so many. I am so, so sorry and all of you are in my prayers.
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