In the Face of a Friend

I have been thinking and praying for my sweet friend who, today, experienced her first holiday without her husband.

I am certain to let her know she and her kids are on my mind randomly...when they are.  I remember very well how another element of grief shows up when everyone else's life goes back to normal after a death and you're left trying to figure out what normal is.

Today, she shared a picture of herself with her sweet children and my heart leapt into my throat.  They're gorgeous, of course, and the kids look great in the Easter pictures. Sweet children smiling for a camera.  When I look at the face of my friend, I am heartbroken for her a million times over. 

She stands beautifully in the photograph behind her children with her hands on them.  In this photograph, the first holiday without her husband and their father...she truly, truly looks so beautiful, there is painful evidence of sadness mixed with protection for her children. 

She is one of the strongest women I have ever known.  I believe in the power of prayer and she and her family will remain in mine.

loves loves