Smart.
Caring.
Loving.
Funny.
Compassionate.
Compassionate.
Trustworthy.
Passionate.
Outgoing.
Cheerful.
Thoughtful.
Easily scared.
Adventurous.
Honest.
Loyal.
Loyal.
Considerate.
Talented.
Princess.
Christian.
These are just a few words that describe this beautiful, young woman, Emma. I could keep going, but you get the point.
It's Sunday, October 27th, 2013. My phone rings at 8:26 A.M.. I'm not awake so I reach up, silence my phone, and roll back over into lala-land. Just as I get back to sleep, I get a text message. This time, I look at my phone. I read the text and my body goes instantly numb. This is not happening.
Emma was on her way home from babysitting when she was hit by another car. The phone call I had ignored was from her sister, who was calling to let me know. Part of me is thankful I didn't answer my phone so she didn't have to say it...again.
I don't get to see Emma's family often, but that doesn't change the fact that they have become family to me. I've spent the last five summers with their family. The children are like the younger siblings I never had. Mama is like another mother to me. I would do anything for them. My summers at Dayton Oaks would not be the same without them.
Emma brings so much joy and life to any room. If you're hanging out with Emma, you're guaranteed to have a good time. If you don't believe me, you've been missing out. Use this picture as a little bit of proof. When I first met Emma, she was extremely quiet and shy around me. Now, she is this crazy, fun-loving young woman.
In the years since I met her, she has grown tremendously. Not just physically, emotionally, and maturity-wise. She has grown in her relationship with Christ and I could not be more proud of her. I often get texts from Emma where she is asking me how I would explain something to someone else or asking me to explain a concept that she doesn't understand. Those are the texts I live for. Emma is always striving to learn more and become more knowledgable in her relationship with Christ. I'm glad I can be a small part of that journey.
If you've never learned about Emma's quirks, you probably should. For instance, there is this guy, Josh the Lost Camper, that Emma is scared of. What makes this entertaining is that Josh the Lost Camper is fictional...and was made up by Emma. On her birthday the past few years, she's asked to go creek-stomping. Not many girls would have that as the birthday activity. This summer, Emma, her siblings, and I went to the zoo. Emma was so excited to see the baby rhinos, but much to our chagrin they didn't look like babies at all. She did fall in love with the kangaroos though. I wouldn't put it past Emma to own every animal on the planet someday.
The past few days, all I've been able to think about is Emma and her family. Right now, there are so many questions for everyone. Emma has multiple surgeries ahead of her as well as a prolonged stay in the hospital. Her family's life has been interrupted and won't be the same for a very long time. Over the years, I have seen their family go through so many trials. It doesn't seem fair or right. They can't ever seem to catch a break, but they take it all in stride and do what they have to do. Without ever losing faith. This is one of the reasons I love their family so much.
The night of her accident, I was texting Emma while she was babysitting. We were joking around about a picture I had gotten of her that day. I never dreamed that would be the last conversation I would get to have with her for a while. But, I also believe that is not the last conversation I will have with her. She is a strong woman of God and has too much left to do on this earth. Her desire has always been to help people and she is going to do just that. When this is all said and done, Emma is going to be an even stronger person.
The night I was texting her, I didn't tell Emma that I love her. I didn't tell her how much she means to me. Those things seem to be unspoken. I know she knows those things. But, with her accident just hours later, it was a reminder that I need to tell people how I feel about them any chance I have. If Emma's story had ended another way, I wouldn't have another chance. Thank the Lord that He has other plans for her. Plans that require her to be here, even though the road is going to be tough for quite a while.
Emma, you are loved by so many. There are hundreds of people praying for you, wishing you a speedy recovery. Take time to get better. Know that you have people who will be with you every step of the way. Right now, there is only one set of footprints because God is carrying you in His arms to a safe recovery. My heart and prayers are with you. I will be with you and your family on Friday. I love you, little sister.
For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~Philippians 4:13
Tell people how you feel. Don't take for granted that they already know.
These are just a few words that describe this beautiful, young woman, Emma. I could keep going, but you get the point.
It's Sunday, October 27th, 2013. My phone rings at 8:26 A.M.. I'm not awake so I reach up, silence my phone, and roll back over into lala-land. Just as I get back to sleep, I get a text message. This time, I look at my phone. I read the text and my body goes instantly numb. This is not happening.
Emma was on her way home from babysitting when she was hit by another car. The phone call I had ignored was from her sister, who was calling to let me know. Part of me is thankful I didn't answer my phone so she didn't have to say it...again. I don't get to see Emma's family often, but that doesn't change the fact that they have become family to me. I've spent the last five summers with their family. The children are like the younger siblings I never had. Mama is like another mother to me. I would do anything for them. My summers at Dayton Oaks would not be the same without them.
Emma brings so much joy and life to any room. If you're hanging out with Emma, you're guaranteed to have a good time. If you don't believe me, you've been missing out. Use this picture as a little bit of proof. When I first met Emma, she was extremely quiet and shy around me. Now, she is this crazy, fun-loving young woman.
If you've never learned about Emma's quirks, you probably should. For instance, there is this guy, Josh the Lost Camper, that Emma is scared of. What makes this entertaining is that Josh the Lost Camper is fictional...and was made up by Emma. On her birthday the past few years, she's asked to go creek-stomping. Not many girls would have that as the birthday activity. This summer, Emma, her siblings, and I went to the zoo. Emma was so excited to see the baby rhinos, but much to our chagrin they didn't look like babies at all. She did fall in love with the kangaroos though. I wouldn't put it past Emma to own every animal on the planet someday.
The past few days, all I've been able to think about is Emma and her family. Right now, there are so many questions for everyone. Emma has multiple surgeries ahead of her as well as a prolonged stay in the hospital. Her family's life has been interrupted and won't be the same for a very long time. Over the years, I have seen their family go through so many trials. It doesn't seem fair or right. They can't ever seem to catch a break, but they take it all in stride and do what they have to do. Without ever losing faith. This is one of the reasons I love their family so much.
The night of her accident, I was texting Emma while she was babysitting. We were joking around about a picture I had gotten of her that day. I never dreamed that would be the last conversation I would get to have with her for a while. But, I also believe that is not the last conversation I will have with her. She is a strong woman of God and has too much left to do on this earth. Her desire has always been to help people and she is going to do just that. When this is all said and done, Emma is going to be an even stronger person.
The night I was texting her, I didn't tell Emma that I love her. I didn't tell her how much she means to me. Those things seem to be unspoken. I know she knows those things. But, with her accident just hours later, it was a reminder that I need to tell people how I feel about them any chance I have. If Emma's story had ended another way, I wouldn't have another chance. Thank the Lord that He has other plans for her. Plans that require her to be here, even though the road is going to be tough for quite a while.Emma, you are loved by so many. There are hundreds of people praying for you, wishing you a speedy recovery. Take time to get better. Know that you have people who will be with you every step of the way. Right now, there is only one set of footprints because God is carrying you in His arms to a safe recovery. My heart and prayers are with you. I will be with you and your family on Friday. I love you, little sister.
For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~Philippians 4:13
Tell people how you feel. Don't take for granted that they already know.
No comments:
Post a Comment