Have You Hugged Your Child Today?

I know that this question has been asked millions of times and has been around for many years but it is still a legitimate question. It was on a Sunday night that a friend called and informed us of a tragedy that affected a great number of relatives and even a greater number of friends. It is such a sad story that lingers in your heart and very hard to dismiss from your thoughts even when you retire at night.

Brian and Kristy Gray and their precious little princess Helen had been to visit grandparents, great-grandparents and other relatives in Alabama and were on their way home in Winder, Georgia on Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving Day when traffic on I85 in Georgia slowed almost to a halt for some unknown reason. It was then a driver hit the rear of their van at a high rate of speed and the impact was so strong that the almost three year old Helen was killed immediately. Kristy, the mother and wife, was critically injured while Brian was knocked unconscious. In a moment of time their world was turned upside down. Kristy is facing several surgeries on her back but there is the possibility that she may never walk again. Their families have gathered to render support in any way that they can. Friends and complete strangers are praying daily for this fine Christian couple.

I immediately emailed our four children and asked them to hug our grandchildren for their grandparents and while doing that, hug one another. All of our grandchildren live hundreds of miles from us. I watched a video of our youngest grandchild Annie sing a song about 'Grandparents Day’ at her school in Colorado Springs that her father had sent us. I felt so strongly that I needed to hug a child that I went across the street to visit friends who have three children, the youngest being a beautiful girl named Josie Lee, age seventeen months, and she came to me and I gave her a big hug. The Lord Jesus Christ loved children. When He was asked “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He then “called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will no means enter the kingdom of heaven. “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matthew 18:1-5). In Matthew 19:13-15 we read, “Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” No doubt heaven will be greatly populated by little children who died in their innocence. The ‘little princess’ Helen is now safe in the arms of Jesus. The death of a child or a grandchild must be one of the most difficult things to deal with in this life. Our tears and heartaches are for those loved ones who remain on this side of eternity. While many of us cannot empathize with Brian and Kristy, we do weep with them (Romans 12:15). I encourage you to send a card to Brian and Kristy Gray at 1421 Langdon Park Court , Winder, Georgia 30680. And be sure to hug your children today.

Hugs From Heaven

When you feel a gentle breeze

Caress you when you sigh

It's a hug sent from Heaven

From your loved one way up high.

If a soft and tender raindrop

Lands upon your nose

She's added a small kiss

As fragile as a rose. If a song you hear fills you

With a feeling of sweet love

It's a hug sent from Heaven

From someone special up above.
If you awaken in the morning

To a bluebird's chirping song

It's music sent from Heaven

To cheer you all day long. If tiny little snowflakes

Land upon your face

It's a hug sent from Heaven

Trimmed with Angel lace.
So keep the joy in your heart

When you're lonely my dear parents

Hugs that are sent from Heaven

A broken heart will mend.

~ Charlotte Anselmo ~
(Slightly edited by me, RE)