Blindsided

I've been trying to decide how to post or what to post about the stage we are in with our little guy.  Yesterday marked the 3 week period in which he is scheduled to leave us.  He has been here with us just short of a year and most likely in less than 3 weeks he will be gone.  I have been trying to picture what it will be like in our home without him.  How do we adjust to something like that?  It will be like a death for us and our kids have not had to face something quite like this before.  Little did I know what the Lord was about to allow.

Tuesday morning, a lovely, vibrant, joyful young lady who we knew as Paige met her Savior face to face.  Paige was 20 years old, a student at Appalacian State, and summer intern at our church.  She was an active member in our college program, our youth program, and our children's program; yes all at the same, because that's the kind of person she was.  She radiated life.  No, she was bigger than life, infectious, contagious with goodness and virtue and passion. 

And she wasn't just any amazing young lady.  She was Macie's Paige.  Since the moment they met they were connected in a very special way.  Paige understood Macie in way that few do.  They had connections that I pray the Lord will allow Macie to have again but I can't imagine she ever will.  Paige did things for Macie that we could never thank her enough for.  She knew how to reach Macie.  She knew how to love her so uniquely.  They had so very much in common.  She helped shape her.  I don't know that Macie has ever  loved anyone so wholeheartedly outside of her family like she loved Paige.

I have beautiful pictures of my children and Paige is behind the lens.  And then when I look at the smiles on their faces I know Paige is behind the smiles.

We will always love Paige.  We will always be affected by her.