I've wanted and not wanted to write this all week. I have a hard time talking about it even to the people around me. I think part of why I feel so many mixed emotions is because I feel almost silly for my grief. I never really knew Thomas. I just know Bonnie. And yet, I mourn for his death because really it is my dear friend Bonnie who is hurting the most.
While working at Harp Elementary school I became friends with Bonnie. She is fun and amazing and always went out of her way to be my friend during the year I was there. I just felt connected to her because of the things we had in common--a few conversations that come to mind involve love for our kindergartners and joy in their learning, distaste for making 5/6 year olds do standardized testing, crazy curly hair and our deep faith in Heavenly Father. I was so grateful then for her friendship. And, unlike so many people, it has continued because of our blogs. It's been wonderful to "watch" as Caroline was born and has grown up over the last couple of years. She's an adorable child! Their whole family, really, has been a delight to keep up with.
Which was why I was so in shock when I logged onto the blog this week and read that Thomas, her husband, was gone. I still can't really believe it. All week it has been very sobering. And yet, I am so grateful to know of Bonnie's great faith in Christ and her loving family, friends and church family that I know are sustaining her now.
And I'm grateful most of all for the knowledge that Jesus Christ did resurrect so that we all will live again and will have the opportunity to be with loved ones again.
And, of course, this just barely taps into my feelings, but it's something.
If you want to read more about Bonnie, here's the link to her blog: www.sweetcarolinebaby.blogspot.com