Saying Goodbye Before Hello

One of our Luckyhill families lost their precious little boy yesterday. Seth was ill and did not make it to the hospital before he "flew home to his Father in Heaven," as his mother wrote. He was so close to coming home to his family, who has fought and waited for Seth for a very long time. Their faith and attitude throughout the journey has been an inspiration to me. They are good people, kind people, people who give everything to those who need it and who, even while in the midst of their own battles, encouraged us and supported us. They are an eternal family and they will have Seth again when they all meet in Heaven. It is comforting to have that assurance, but the mortal heart still feels the pain of loss.

Everyone who has met Seth comments on his smile. You couldn't help but be drawn into its glow. I remember when I met him in October. I was trying to coax a smile and he was being very shy. He would talk to Tiana and laugh with her, but not me. Then, all of a sudden, he came up to me and tapped me on the leg. He stomped his foot to show me his new light-up shoes that his Dad had bought for him. Then he looked up and that beautiful smile just beamed out at me for a second or two. Seth was already basking in his family's love and he knew it. I will remember that precious smile forever, it was like pure sunshine.

Hug your kids a little tighter today. Just look at them and marvel that you have them, that you can hug them and that you can tell them that you love them. We will all miss Seth, but nobody more than Rob and Shannon and their children.