Sophia's Sunset...

Last night there was an unusual sunset. I have never before seen a rainbow during a sunset in all the times that I sit on the pier. It was amazing. Some people believe that a rainbow is a "bridge" to a happier place. Hence the words that Judy Garland made famous..

Somewhere over the Rainbow,

Way up high,

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the Rainbow,

Skies are blue,

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true.

Is it possible to grieve for someone that you never met? Is it possible to hurt so deeply for an unknown family? I do. Today I learned that a little girl passed away after a long, hard battle with cancer. I never met her nor do I know her parents although they are a local family. I kept up with her saga through a wonderful website called CaringBridge. I struggled with her parents as they had to make decisions about her healthcare, I prayed for the whole family, and I weep with them now. My heart hurts for the family of this beautiful little girl. For an eight year old child, she was beyond brave..she was truly courageous in all she faced. Before she became ill, she was like any other wonderful little girl..she played ball..she danced..she loved horses. She did all the things little girls were supposed to do. Then she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and her entire world changed..as did that of her family. There were hundreds of doctor's visits, innumerable treatments and unbearable pain as the tumor grew. This precious baby suffered more in just a little over a year than most of us do in a lifetime. Last night, her pain ended..her suffering came to an end as the beautiful little girl could take no more. As a mother, my heart breaks for her mother..I cry tears..and again I pray..this time for Sophia's mother. The pain she suffers is like no other..a true broken heart..the loss of a child..the deepest pain a mother can ever endure. I know that my feelings cannot compare to the torture that this family is having to face and I feel helpless to know that I can do nothing to ease this pain for them. So I pray .......... in the words of her mother,"My angel got her wings last night." .......... and I weep.

....................Rest in Peace, Sophia....................