The loss of a child is one of the most painful losses that we as parents can go through in this life. Listen to Paul describe his experience . I think you will have renewed hope in our creator God that one day He will make all things new again. I want to thank my Lindbergh class of 74 classmate for sending this to me.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

No one ever expects to outlive their child. No one is ever prepared when it happens to them and when it does, it seems that sadness and sorrow become your life time companions. We're never prepared how to handle the loss of a child. We understand how to process the pain of losing a parent, or grandparent, but never a child.

As a facilitator of Grief share, I know this all too well when I listen to the stories participants share of their loved ones. Stories of pain,of stomache ache, of nightmares and flashbacks, of significant anxiety that sometimes sends them to the ER for help.Stories of being unable to walk anywhere near their deceased child's bedroom because the pain is still raw, sometimes several years after the loss. Stories of isolation when your world begins closing in on you because of the fear of venturing outdoors.

Stories of being unable to drive anywhere near the schools or favorite eating places you remember eating at with your child. Stories of some extended family members, or even the chaplain who was there the night your child died telling you they don't think they could ever step inside your home again because of those memories.

Alas, when I think about this, I'm struck by how this is the way American's grieve. When it happens, we slip on our dark suit and go to our friends funeral service to pay respects to their child before going home, taking off our dark suit and resume our daily activity with hopes of never going into that grief box again.

We, as American's, just want to be happy. We are pleasure seekers, not pain seekers. But God reminds us that at some point all of us will die. No, it's not a lovely thought, but it will happen.

God reminds us through His word that when our lives end and we know Jesus Christ we will transgress to the other side of the veil toward a heavenly waiting room filled with people who went before us. Some say God uses the people who died we knew the best to be in the forefront of that waiting room: parents, grandparents, friends and of course, Jesus Christ, will all be there to welcome you home.

As Paul described his vision about heaven, I also see heaven as a beautiful place, a new earth, where no more suffering,no more pain, no more earthly sickness or disability will exist.

You're loved one may not be here, but if you still have breathe you still have a purpose to fulfill in this life. So, what is your purpose? To share your faith story of how your loss has shaped you. You're newly planted soap box is designed to share Jesus Christ to bring others toward Him.

Finally, I urge newly bereaved people to consider a 13-week Griefshare group to learn more about and recover from your grief. You're life still has purpose and you want to get yourself mentally and emotionally ready to conquer life's tasks and be there for your friends and family. For some who have experience a very traumatic loss, I encourage you to seek the help of a truama Psychologist who truly understand what you're experiencing ( not all do) so you can get the help you need to heal.