Family and friends from all over gathered in rooms of the funeral home, talking, hugging, crying, praying, remembering...
This was a hard night for us all. Maybe hardest for Lizzy.
My sweet girl could not stop crying. After we returned home, she could not sleep. As it grew near midnight, she came and asked through tears if she could sleep in Daniel's bed. Even in there we could here her squealing cries.
My heart. Already broken and helplessly breaking more not knowing how to help her.
But God...
The day before I had received a text from my dear friend Traci that told me at the last minute she was going to be able to come to Daniel's burial and Celebration of Life. I was so thankful and felt so loved knowing that she wanted to be here. Little did I know that God had even more reason for what she called "miraculous" provision in the details working out.
Traci did not get into Dallas until around 10pm the night of April 6th and some of our other dear friends went to pick her up from the airport after leaving Daniel's visitation. She arrived at our home around 10:30 and when all of our other friends had left (or went to bed) for the night, she and I sat talking in the kitchen. It was at this time that Lizzy had come down to ask to sleep in Daniel's bed. After I tucked Lizzy into his bed and held her and prayed for her again, I came back out to the kitchen. As Traci and I sat across from one another we heard Lizzy squealing, crying and just sobbing. It was nearly midnight by this point and I was telling Traci how much we all just needed to sleep and was wondering aloud how to help her.
It was then that Traci asked me if she could go and talk to Lizzy.
And it was then that I was reminded that Traci knew how Lizzy was feeling.
She walked in and and told Lizzy that she had lost her brother when she was a little girl too. Lizzy said, "You did????" And Traci said , "Yes, I did." To which Lizzy immediately lamented through tears, "Oh Traci, did he look like himself??? Your brother? Because Daniel just did not look like himself tonight in his coffin!" Traci agreed that her brother Kirk did not look like himself. And then the two of them continued talking, Lizzy asking questions and Traci sharing what she could.
After several minutes of talking, Traci asked, "Lizzy, would you like me to sleep with you tonight?" Lizzy nodded. They headed up to the girls room and not long after lying down together in Lizzy's twin bed, they both slept.
Everyone should be so blessed to have a friend like this.
I myself am so thankful that Traci could be here, but I am forever thankful that God provided the comfort my dear Lizzy needed on this night. Something I will never forget. And a tangible reminder of His great love.
It was a miraculous provision indeed.
Thank you Traci for being the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus to my 10 year old's breaking heart. One of the many reminders of God's faithfulness in a time of such heartache and devastation.
