Community

I have tried for the last few days to write something.  I don’t know what to write.

A 14 year old girl in our community was brutally murdered last week. 

I can’t stop thinking about her.

I can’t stop thinking about her mom.

I didn’t know her and I don’t know her mom but it doesn’t matter.  I am a mom.  I understand love.

There is nothing I can write that will make any of this better.  Every time I start to write, the words seem so small.  They seem trite and fake and unimportant.  Since I didn’t know her, even writing about her seems awkward but not writing about her seems worse.  I even thought maybe I should just write about something unrelated, something light or humorous.  But that seemed inappropriate.  It’s as if I can’t move on to anything else until I recognize (in writing) this terrible tragedy. 

She is being honored in many ways in our community and the surrounding communities including tributes and vigils and articles and Facebook pages and signs and white ribbons around trees.  All the schools in the area are wearing her favorite colors.  Rival schools are wearing her school colors. 

Students are seeing each other for what they really are – vulnerable human beings who are doing their best to live a good life.  It doesn’t matter what school they go to or what group they belong to, for now, they are together in their pain. 

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is He said the greatest commandment is to Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  And He said the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.  He leaves no room for doubt.  The answer is love. 

According to friends, Kelli loved.  She was friendly and happy and kind.  She will be remembered in love. 

When I don’t know what to do or what to say, I pray.  So here goes…

“Lord, we stand before you as a community that is burdened and afraid.  We have lost a young, beautiful girl so full of promise and we are shocked and angry.  We do not understand.  We rest in the assurance that you are holding Kelli in your loving embrace and that she is free from pain and surrounded by love.  Please wrap your arms of protection and peace around her family Lord and bring them comfort.  Be with them in their pain.  Heal their wounds and restore hope in the hearts of all those who are hurting.  We pray for the safety and protection of all children and all people everywhere.  We pray for justice and goodness and peace. Amen.”