Look Grief in the Eye

We don't grow up, dream of our wedding day, the birth of our first baby, and then think, I will have to bury my child someday. My children were the best thing I ever did. I always knew I would be a mother and would love it.

I planned to have two children. They would begin their school days, and I would go to work and help make a living as my mother did. My plan changed when I realized I was going to have a third child, Matthew. He was the best baby. He never cried or demanded my attention, maybe because he was born eight years after his sister, Dianna, and four years after his brother, David.

Matthew got lots of attention. Everyone was delighted to have a new "toy" to enjoy. Matthew loved his sister and brother as they did him.

As time went on, Matthew grew into the sweetest child a family could have. He was helpful in every way. He worked with his daddy when times got hard. He helped his momma anytime there was a need. He was everything a mother would desire in a child.

Matthew dreamed of marrying someday and having his own family. At the age of twenty-five, he married the girl of his dreams, and he had his family.

Matthew worked hard and provided very well for his family. Just two weeks before Jesus took him home, he told me, "Momma, I have paid off my house, my vehicles, and my land."

We had just talked about his future and how he had it made. Matthew loved the Lord and his family and looked forward to a happy future. Just two weeks later, we had to look grief square in the eye!