I was not going to write this post. But then I was overcome by emotion and realized that part of my grieving process involves talking and about writing about my emotions. This is therapeutic for me. Be sure to read tomorrow’s post for more happy thoughts about quilting, but for today, please indulge me in my grief.
As the events of Boston were unfolding, I was saddened along with the rest of the country. However, on Friday as the country was celebrating the capture of the second bombing suspect, police arrived to a home in my neighborhood where a mother had taken the life of herself and her two children, one of whom was my daughter’s good friend.
Words cannot express the depth of our sorrows as our neighborhood tries to cope with understanding why. The local news has been out here many times over the weekend and neighbors and friends have joined together to comfort each other. This is what good people do in sad times.
Here is a clip from our local news showing many of us standing together in love and sadness.
Neighborhood Memorial
People grieve in different ways. For me it helped to talk to my friends, neighbors, and church members, to pray a lot, and to hug my children. I also tried to listen to as many uplifting spiritual talks and music as much as I could this weekend. I also threw myself into quilting with a vengeance (which you will see the results of later this week).
I am so grateful that I will be heavily involved in my upcoming guild’s quilt show this week as it will be a welcome distraction. So if I am over exuberant later in the week, you will know why. It will help to push away the sadness.
For those of you wishing to do something to cope with your grief about the terrible events in Boston, Berene Campbell from the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild has put together a wonderful project explaining how you can help.
Please go hug someone today and tell them you love them.
Christa Quilts 
Oh my goodness Christa. There’s too much sadness in the world. I’m so sorry.
This is just something I cannot wrap my head around, sadly its happening on a daily basis like an epidemic. It’s just tragic.I am so sorry it had to happen so close to you Christa. 😦
Christa, was very sorry to hear about your neighbor and her children. Wow, hard to comprehend how someone can do that to their children. Hope your daughter is doing ok. Hard for anyone to lose a good friend that way, and especially when you are as young as your daughter. My prayers are with your family.
This is so sad. I never could understand someone hurting a child. The grandparents must be devastated also. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and neighborhood for peace and strength. Hug your daughter for me, she will need a lot of those for the loss of her friend.
Thank you all so much for your kind, healing words and “hugs” – it means a lot!
Very sorry to hear such sad news from your community. My brother committed suicide nearly 4 years ago and it really did rock us to the foundations. It was not long after this that I really got more into sewing, as I found it helped me cope with the aftermath of what happened. I also think talking about it helps a lot.
That is so very sad 😦 xx
I’m so sorry to hear the sad news that has rocked your neighborhood and world. Sending you and your daughter a healing hug and will be keeping you both as well as others effected in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Christa,
I’m so sorry to hear of the sadness surrounding you and your family. It seems that there is so much evil about these days. We must stay strong for those who need us and pray for strength to face each hurdle that comes our way. I am sending positive thoughts prayers your way as we try to come to terms with way is happening in our world and in our neighborhoods.
Hang in there. God loves you!
Linda
Sent from my iPad
Oh, I’m so sorry for you, your daughter and family, and your community. Prayers and hugs for all of you.
My thoughts are with you and your daughter. My father committed suicide 9 years ago. Now he did not take anyone else with him, but he rocked many lives. I have cried many times over these years and still do. It does get a little easier. All I can say is be there for your daughter. Let her talk and let her cry. I feel so much better with spiritual songs or talks to listen to. My prayers are here for you! I do understand your loose.
It just doesn’t make any sense sometimes. And there is no explaining or logic behind actions of some. So sad. Find the little moments and have a smile or two to help you along each day.
This breaks my heart. Those poor babies. I’m sorry for your lose. My prayers to you, your family and neighbors.
Christa, this is so sad to here after everything else that has happened. I have never been able to understand why someone would take their own life much less the life of their own child. It sadens me more than anything else. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Take care.
My love and prayers are with you, your family and the whole neighborhood. Devastating event. It has been a hard month here as well when I learned a friend had taken his own life leaving his wife and children without their father. Along with Boston, MA, West, TX and your neighborhood, yes, we must find the people we love and let them know just how loved and supported they are. These are reminders of how loved we even when we don’t feel it and we need never feel alone.
I’m so sorry to hear this. How difficult to deal with your grief and help your daughter try to understand, as well. I’m glad you shared your emotions. We can’t be happy, be “on” 24/7/365. Hugs for your family.
I’m so sorry. I feel for your daughter too – it’s so hard to understand something like this. My heart goes out to all of you. (((HUGS)))
I am so sorry – Love, hugs and prayers to your family and all those affected by this tragedy. Lynn
Hugs and prayers for all.
This post gave me goosebumps. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your neighbors and the family for the woman and girls. I hope you and your daughter come through this experience stronger and full of love. I’m so sorry.
I can’t imagine the emotions and sadness of you, your daughter, and the neighborhood… So so sorry for everyone..
Christa –
You have my deepest sympathies. Please extend the same to your family. My heart breaks for your daughter. Dealing with multiple suicide attempts by my youngest daughter has brought such pain and anguish to our family. It is impossible to understand the inner workings of a mentally ill, irrational mind. It is impossible to rationalize the irrational! May you find peace in the love of our Heavenly Father and in His beautiful plan of salvation.
You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Love, Edrie
Sent from my iPhone 💜
We never understand why people do what they do:( We had a 15 year old shoot himslef at the high school tennis courts on Tuesday of last week:( No idea what was going on in his life but he must of been hurting:( Just have to pray for the lost and broken!
So sorry to hear that news. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Estou consternada,e sinto por perdas e feridos.Fique bem.
Oh my goodness!!! this is so terrible, and for your daughter… it must be awful. I’m so sorry to hear this. A big big hug to you.
My heart aches for your family and community – my prayers are with you all!
Diane
I can’t imagine how your daughter must be feeling. Praying for her and your whole family, and the family of the departed. God loves us all!
Crista, we will hold you all in our prayers and Good Thoughts. My heart goes out to all of the children who have lost a friend – they just do not know how to process anything this horrific. Keep a loving eye on the little ones!
It is so hard to try and understand! Praying for you and your family! It is so horribly sad!
Hi Christa. So sorry to hear about this sad event in your community. That poor mom must have been struggling terribly. I can’t imagine where I would begin to explain that to my children. Think I would just hold them tight.
Thank you for spreading the word about the to Boston with Love project. I’m hoping it’s going to bring a lot of love to the city.
{{Hugs}} to all of you Christa.
That is very sad and unfortunately becoming more common. Hopefully the family is at peace now, poor sweet kids.
Sending love and hugs your way! The loss of innocent lives is so painful, actually loss of any life is painful. Yet, there is hope, Love conquers everything. Where there is pain, loss, hatred may LOVE be showered upon each individual walking through this difficult place. Through giving and receiving love, it is there our healing and recovery begin. May your week be filled with hugs from loved ones, and know that you, your community, and so many others experiencing loss in the last few days are held close in the hearts of many.
my heart goes out to you, your daughter and your community — I live in a community that had this happen several years ago and know the pain it brings. i ma grateful that you are able to pull together with others during this time.
So sorry to hear that.Such sadness., mental illness is such a horrid disease that we don’t understand enough, please make sure your daughter knows that mommy didn’t kill her children, her disease did. hugs and prayers for you and your daughter
I m so sorry for all of your loss. My prayers with you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during this most difficult time. Many hugs.