Wednesday 19 December 2007

Isabella and Hamish........

Where do I begin to share with you the thoughts and emotions that engulfed my being today.

I grew up in a farming community and worked in the small town within that community until the birth of my first child. BJ and I have had our business in that same town for the past 14 years. If you have lived for a long time in a small country town you will somehow understand my writing tonight and if you haven't I hope that you will come to understand a little more.

This morning the news on the radio reported that two young children, a little boy of eight and his seven year old sister had been missing overnight. At first I didn't realise the impact this would have on the rest of the day.

They had been out walking late in the afternoon with their Mummy, had gone ahead of her on a quad bike and when she caught up, they were nowhere to be seen. The police searched most of the night and then resumed this morning. Their little bodies were pulled from the dam on the family farm this morning.

Our little town is in shock and the sadness on the faces of the people today was enough to say what we all were feeling. People were going about their business as usual, but there was a sad quietness, there seemed to be quiet all around and not much chatter going on.

I have known this family the whole of my life and although not close friends, we went to school with them and have known and respected all of the family all of my life.

This comes at the end of a year that has held so much tragedy for a small community, that one can hardly believe that we are once again trying to make sense of just another happening. We have mourned the death of a young women to cancer, the senseless murder of a young man by his brother, accidental deaths and sudden death of two teenage young people connected to our town. All this within a population of just 4000 people.

I just ask that you pray with me tonight for this family, for the parents, older brother and sister, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and their little friends. May they know the peace and comfort that only Jesus can bring to them in this time of grief and sadness.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Joining you in prayer.

dutchcomfort said...

I will be thinking of you and your community. Take care!

Leanne said...

Dear Leisa, My thoughts and prayer are with you. I heard about the two children on our news and felt sick with sadness. My heart went out to their mother I'm not sure if I could survive loosing my children.
Big Hugs to you
XX
Leanne

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Leisa, I hope the end of this year will also see an end to these tragedies in your community. I will say special prayers and wish you a peaceful Christmas,
warmest wishes,
Lucy

OhSoVintage said...

What a dreadful tragedy. I cannot even begin to imagine what their parents and other relatives are going through. In a small community everyone feels the sadness of others.

Cathy said...

Special prayers are coming your way. I will be thinking of all of the families throughout this holiday season.

Cathy

Outi Loimaranta said...

Dear Leisa, my thoughts are with you.

Val said...

My thoughts and prayers are with this family, you and your community. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

The boy was eight and the girl seven