You've probably noticed the new banner. Jordan asked if I could change it. So difficult.
Love seeing the seeds of action being planted. Yes, please, if something settles onto your heart as an idea for doing good, please do it. Frankly, that is the sole source of comfort I'm finding lately.
A dear friend of mine called this week for a long, tearful, soothing chat, and she said something that I haven't stopped thinking about. Maybe you will agree. We talked of different loved ones who have passed on and how we still love them and think of them often, but she said, "Something about Kyrie's passing is different." She says that she can't stop thinking about Kyrie, Jordan and Lacie, and that most of each day during the past two and a half weeks have been spent crying and talking about Kyrie with people who come into her office at her church. These people--again, people who've never met Kyrie--are mourning, are touched in a visceral way. Commentators here on this blog are feeling that, too.
Something different.
Getting back to work for me has been strange. Just a few minutes ago, a freelance designer came into my office smiling and asking about the beautiful little girl in the photos that I have hanging on my bulletin board. I said, "That is my niece." I couldn't bring myself to say it in the past tense.
I'm not the same person who came to this office last month. I'm different. Everything else, though, is still the same. Some days I resent business as usual. Yesterday at a stop light, I nearly got out of my car to pick up and throw back the cigarette butt that the driver in front of me flicked from his window. Never one to allow a lot of schmucky junk into my brain, I now have zero tolerance for materialistic commercials, belligerent radio hosts or plain, ol' greed. I just don't have room for that stuff when matters of life and death prevail my thoughts.
Still wrestling with God's promises, but most days there is a moment where I am awash with peace when I think of Kyrie, like a divine surf swelling and rolling up and over my confusion then taking it out to sea. I hope that tide will erode today's hard feelings.
Although I may never be convinced of the price Kyrie paid for me, for us, to do better, there are many good deeds being worked in Kyrie's name, just like Susan's annual Easter bunny visits. Did you know that Jordan's LoveBox colleagues collectively donated 51 of their own vacation days to him? What an amazingly generous way to help him and Lacie through the aftermath. And members of Aldersgate Church sewed together a prayer quilt for Kyrie. And a talented knitter from Cheney's United Methodist Church hand made a prayer shawl for Lacie. And the owner of Fringe Salon is leaving the door open for Lacie's position; whenever she's ready to come back, she can. And the quilt raffle is still continuing as planned to help with those looming medical expenses.
Good stuff.
And maybe that's what this site can become: a repository for documenting good works. Wouldn't that be great? How wonderful it would be if humans could get addicted to doing good instead of any number of the downward spiraling vices.
More ideas to share tomorrow.
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3 comments:
Thank you Megan for continuing this site. I know it must be difficult for you to gather thoughts at times, but I hope that it is also healing for you. I find myself amazed each time I read a post and other's comments at how Kyrie has touched so many hearts and is causing change in the deepest parts of people. You are right - this is different - I don't think I've ever cried so many tears or sent up so many prayers for a family I don't even know personally.
Thinking about Susan's Easter Bunny visits, I have been faithfully asking God how he would most like to use me right now? Especially in a way that may honor Kyrie, Lacie, Jordan and the rest of your family. My husband and I also stop and thank God when our daughter is fussy and won't calm, or when she awakes at night screaming. While sometimes we used to get frustrated, we are now grateful for that time God gives us to hold her and soothe her. You're right Megan, the price Kyrie paid is unfair, but the amount of goodness that is being shown through others is astounding. I am in awe of what Jordan's co-workers did, how the people from churches spent time quilting and knitting and how gracious of Lacie's boss to welcome her back when she is ready!! People are doing good and are changing in honor of Kyrie, she will be alive in the hearts of many forever!!
Someone mentioned organizing an event in K.C. possibly. I would absolutely be "IN" if something like this would transpire. It would be awesome to meet others who have been praying for and touched by Kyrie and her family!
Lacie and Jordan, I think of you so many times throughout my days and lift you up to our almighty loving father. I wonder how you are doing and what your days may be like, and I just keep trusting God to wrap you up in his loving arms!! I pray you are feeling waves of peace (like Megan described) in the middle of your grief!
"Something different" is exactly right...
I went to middle school and high school with Lacie. The last time I saw her was at our graduation. When I heard about Kyrie, I was completely shocked and started following the blog and immediately put the family on our prayer list at church.
I have been reading this for quite some time now, and I just thought I would leave a post saying that I, too, am one more person whose outlook on life and priorities have changed as a result of Kyrie's life, most likely because of having my own little girl who is 4 months old.
I make it a point to hold her every chance I get, ignoring the naive comment that I've heard countless times, "You're going to spoil her, and she's just gonna want to be held all the time."
I hug her just a little longer than I used to.
I kiss her as many times as her chubby little cheeks can stand it--and then some more.
I coo with her. I laugh with her. I take more pictures of her. I nap with her. I cuddle with her. I spend a few extra minutes bathing her. I read to her. I take walks with her. I take her to church with me every time the doors are open. I spend a few less minutes worrying about tomorrow, and put all I have into giving my very best as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, relative, and friend every single day of my life. I thank God every day for Kyrie's life, even though I didn't have the blessing of knowing her.
It's really inexplicable--I never even met Kyrie, and I just cannot quit thinking about this little precious life that touched so many people. When I wake up, I think about her. When I'm at work, I think about her. When I'm driving, I think about her. When I'm making dinner, I think about her. When I'm changing diapers, I think about her.
I've been touched by the lives of many, many children, but there is just something different about Kyrie Thome. I've shared about her with my church, my coworkers, my friends, my community, and even some complete strangers. I'll never, ever forget her. I want Jordan, Lacie, and the rest of your family to remember that you are continuously being uplifted in prayer every single day. May you draw strength from Jesus Christ in the days that lie ahead, knowing that you are yet one day closer to having her in your loving arms again.
I as well as Sara went to school with Lacie, however the last time I saw her was my Sophomore year. I just wanted to say I never had the honor of meeting Kyrie, but her story has touched me deeply. Being a parent of 2 children, an event like this can definitely change the way you see the world and do things. I know how it feels to have a seriously ill baby, my daughter was very sick the first 2 years of her life. I thank god every day for her still being with me as I know how fragile life really is. It amazes me how many people take it for granted. I hope that Lacie and Jordan can find peace in knowing each day they are a day closer to being with their baby girl again and also in the fact that so many poeple are praying for them and will continue to do so. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with them and their family.
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