Two years ago today (October 20), two little girls, sisters they were, were playing in a big pile of leaves across the street from their house. Along came a car and, not seeing the girls or knowing they were under the leaves, ran over the two girls. The driver felt a bump but didn’t know she had hit the girls so she kept on going. The younger sister, Anna who was six, died at the scene. The older sister, Abby, died at the hospital a day later. She was eleven.
Those of you who have followed my blog the past few months have seen me write about love rocks. It is Anna and Abby’s mother who started love-rocks.org, as a way to go on living a positive and productive life without her girls. You can read about love rocks here and you can read Anna and Abby’s mom’s personal blog here.
Two years is a long time in many ways and a drop in the bucket in other ways. While Anna and Abby’s mom has been mourning her girls, she has also been living with a degree of comfort and joy knowing that Abby was able to donate organs to a number of others who have had renewed lives over the past two years.
So today, on the anniversary of their “heaven day” as their mom refers to it, I ask you to consider two things. First, if you haven’t already, please consider organ donation. It can mean the difference of life and death for someone. And second, consider joining Anna and Abby’s friends and family marking the passing of another year without them by lighting two luminaries or candles in your porch tonight. They did it last year and are repeating it this year and asking others to join them. (Their mom and dad actually light two candles in their front porch every night.) I plan to and I hope you will too.
Below is a collection of love rocks I’ve made. Download one or two and keep them some place handy. When you’re feeling low, take it out and remember that people care about you and people love you. Or send it to a friend who needs a smile!
It’s a story both very sad and yet strangely inspiring – a mother who lost her daughters in a senseless way trying to make something positive of it.
On an only slightly related subject, the “love rock” I posted on my blog was natural. As I walk the beach I sometimes pick up interesting rocks to take home. It was a very cold and windy day when i found this small rock (for size and wind, see the sand blowing across it!) I took a few pictures but decided to leave it up above the high tide mark in case someone needed it more than I did. So in ways, it was like one of your love rocks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Heart breaking and yet inspiring. The mom is the epitome of compassion. In fact I was going to write about her for a compassion post the first time we did #1000Speak but I didn’t know too much about the whole thing.
I did see that rock you posted and took note of it. I’m glad you left it. I’m sure someone else needed it at some point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can not imagine being able to get out of bed every morning if I lost my kids, let alone find the strength to start something like Love Rocks. I think what you’re doing to participate and make rocks for others in need is wonderful. I was having what felt like a pretty awful day today. But my kids are safe and sleeping just down the hall. You really helped me put my bad day into perspective. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robin. I’m glad this touched you at just the right time. It definitely helps put things into perspective! It reminds you to hug your kids a little tighter; hold them a little longer; kiss them more often; and enjoy them every moment of every day.
LikeLike
A beautiful tribute to this fine and amazing family
LikeLike
What an incredibly sad story and dreadful thing to happen. Parents who lose children are people apart. It’s a grief so few of us can ever comprehend.
When I saw your love rocks I thought it was a lovely idea, but now I know the full story behind them I’m even more taken by them.
Well done to you for participating and thank you for sharing this with us.
LikeLike