A difficult day

This morning and afternoon I spent some time with my eldest daughter, traveling to the pediatrician's office, and then heading down to the Shriner's Hospital burn clinic. Yes, she burned herself on some very, very hot honey she was softening for a baking project. They determined it is a deep second-degree burn, and they want to see us back in a week. If it has not healed enough, we will have to plan for skin graft surgery. While not huge, and not a third-degree burn, it is on her finger, and the way the skin heals can impact the future mobility of the joint. We would all appreciate your prayers for her finger to heal.

This evening we received the very sad news that our dear aunt that I wrote of in this post has died. There's shock for those of us who attempt to harden ourselves to the brevity of life and the reality of death; there are tears for those of us still soft enough to jump right to the sadness and pain. It is a hard night here at A Circle of Quiet. When we love, we let it go deeply.

We will remember her smile. Her welcoming arms. Her honest words. Her hospitality. Her keen insight into people and what makes them tick. We will celebrate our love for one another, we will strive for each other's best, we will take some time to dream and to hope for the future -- in honor of her. She lived life fully. She loved her family with an everlasting love. She was amazing, and we will miss her terribly.

If I can stop one heart from breaking
I shall not live in vain:
If I can ease one life in the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
Emily Dickenson (1830-1886)