Praying for sad goodbyes

This week I learned my sister's friend, a young mother of a four year old, and 17 month old, pregnant at 24 weeks, was told she has a stillborn. She named her child, and courageously went for a c-section, after blessings and prayers and realizing the sorrow of their family's loss. Instead of waking up to grieve with her husband and little ones, something terrible happened instead, and she died that day. She went home to Him who is love, and left a young family to the memory of her goodness and love. Some things we won't ever understand on this side. Knowing two young mothers this year who were taken suddenly from their family without time for goodbyes has reminded us that love is what matters most. Our days are a gift. Our children and time are such a gift. Sarah's faith and the graces of the sacraments before her surgery are a great consolation to her husband. He knows she returns to His love despite the pain of such terrible grief. These families are at the forefront of our prayers as they courageously move forward despite the loss of the heart of the home. We pray for Ray especially this week, and the whole family, may grace beyond us all carry each one of you and your little ones.