Cope to Hope: Day 1

Dear Friends,

Your heart is hurting?  Mine too.

Can't get your mind off it in quiet moments.  I feel the same way.

Whether it is the memories of Kaitlyn's kindness and coping with the absence of her goodness in your present/ future life to the now days that have passed as Sabrina still lies unconscious.... the questions and thoughts are hard to shake.

Their families.  

Their friends. 

Graduation.

Sabrina's future life and will she be the same- physically and mentally?

I don't live close to you guys anymore, but still love you all the same.  So, daily I choose to be with you as we cope for hope together through this.  Here is what I'm keeping in mind today as I choose how to cope with this.  Read and walk alongside me if you want.  I'd love to go through this together with you.  I love you all and, Sabrina, this is how I choose to love you while you are out.

1.  Today, I choose to THINK about them first and not their tragedy.

The articles and posts were hard from Day 1, but now even the prayer requests are hard to read at times.  I pray and think of them- not because they were helpless victims of a tragic drunk driving accident.  I pray and think of them because they were AMAZING girls- and I love them.  Every person who knows and loves them has their own reasons and memories-(how beautiful, right?!?!?)

Even days later and hopefully years down the road, I pray and think of them consistently for that reason alone.  Their lives are precious and God knew what he was doing when we were given the privilege to know and live life with them.  

2.  Today, I choose to ACT in love on their behalf.    I went to sleep last night with a conviction that I needed to be more verbally patient with my sassy daughter.  So, by God's grace, I actually gave her a hug and consoled her as she fake-cried for something she wanted and couldn't have.  I thought of my current privilege to have my daughter with me and the choice I can make each day to love her- even when we clash.  I did that in memory of Kaitlyn and her mom, Debbie and Sabrina.

That was a little act of love for my family and this blog maybe a little bigger act of love for you all.  But,  who knows where else or who else  the Lord  will lead me to love- but I will go, in strength, to do it!   

Sweet Sabrina, I vow to not just mope around waiting for you-  I'll do what I can to love the hurts of those that surround you.  That way, when you awake, we can all be strong enough to support and love you on your road to recovery.  

If you don't know where to start to ACT today, here are some ideas...

1.  Balloon  release memorial at the stadium at  6pm.  Bring balloons, sharpies, and or just yourself.

2.  Be present at school for the end of the year-  your wildcat community could use the support.

3.  Respect that we are all grieving together-  some knowing Kaitlyn and Sabrina more than others- but still heart-broken the same.  Choose to have " mercy" on the ways people express their grief even when you don't agree.  Love is shown through unity and both girls deserve all the love we can give them.

With Love Always,

Crystal

*Mother Goins