Kyli

I guess when people grieve they express themselves in different ways. Today I’m expressing myself through words and tears.

Today I have shed tears with much heartache as a friend of mine went to be with Jesus in Heaven yesterday. She was a sweet 11 year old.

My heart has been tossing back and forth between joy for her and heartache for her parents. I feel like a wave of the Sea being tossed about. Back and forth. The joy comes from knowing full well that sweet little Kyli has no pain. No more suffering and her legs are strong and she can not only walk, but RUN! Her neurological problems have left and she knows clarity in her mind. My tears, however, have not ceased to stop. They are running like a fountain and the ache in my heart wells up and then overflows.

I think of her Mommy and Daddy. They are most definitely in Pain. Yet through it all have the strength of God guiding them.

How do you cope without God in a time such as this? There is just No way. Without Him you cannot get out of bed. But because of His beauty and His strength He calls you to your feet and you walk. Get dressed, grieve and in time....even heal. Her Mommy praised God with thankfulness today saying she was grateful to have had her. Grateful. Gratitude in the Pain. Her Daddy's words are to LOVE like God. And God taught us how to Love because of how Kyli Loved. And He loved her right on into His kingdom yesterday.

Is it fair? No. Life is not fair. It is not fair that they will never hold her, hug her, kiss her, play with her on Earth again. But I am reminded that we are told we will see them again someday. Someday. In Heaven their family will be complete again. It makes me think and ponder about Love. The Love that God has for each of us that He gave us Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness and Salvation.

Love. Hailey climbs into my lap and says, "Mommy...cry?" I keep telling her "Yes. Today Mommy cries." She loves to climb in my lap and say, "Hold you." This offers me comfort and Love.

There is a saying, "It is better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all." Would I rather have than not have? Yes. Because in the having you experience love.... in the not having you are left empty. In the having you may lose, but at least you loved. Kyli brought that. She radiated love, joy and smiles being called Smiley Kyli. She loved God with a passion....teaching even adults how to love with passion.

Kyli loved the Jets and rooted for her team. Every time the Jets play I will think of her. Her photo has been hung on Lauren's wall to remind us to pray for her. Now we need to remember to pray for her Mommy and Daddy.

Christa Tietjen Photography

Kyli asked God to give her beauty in the sunsets. And during the past two weeks the sunsets have been so vivid and glorious in New York that ABC News even did a story about them coming every night. So vivid in color one night after night after night. Why? Because Kyli asked for them. And the LORD gave. His gift.

Are we able to heal on our own? I don't think so. I think the only way you heal, really heal from heartache is with God's love and strength. Comfort, grace and Peace. And then one day we will see Him face to face.....like Kyli.

To God be the Glory as Heaven has a little Ray of Sunshine giggling and dancing before His throne Today and always. Thank you Kyli for teaching me how to LOVE a lot deeper. Amen.

- Stephanie Hamilton, MOPS Mom

Stephanie Hamilton is the happy wife of Brian Hamilton (17 ½ years). She blessedly stays home to mother their 3 children: Lauren Joy (10), Kaden (8) and Hailey (1). Stephanie is very outgoing and loves to spend time with family and friends. She loves the outdoors, and her family tries to be on the mountain as much as possible in the summer (and even for small spurts in the winter). Stephanie and Brian take their kiddos with them wherever they go! Stephanie also babysits during the week and enjoys the extra kiddos she watches. She fills wonderfully fulfilled through all the kid’s little joys and excitements.