photo credit: notsogoodphotography

Our friendship is built by words, simply words. Emails, and Twitter chats, and the thing that first connected us, our blogs.

Sharing about our families and daily lives.

Discussing our dreams.

Helping each other with homeschool.

And now the words are simply not enough. My dear friend, Dana, lost her little boy this weekend. An accident that has happened in my own home took the life of a precious little boy. I have never met him, but my heart is in pieces.

Dana and I have tried to get together. We’ve plotted and schemed about meeting at Yellowstone among other things. And now I just want to be there. To love on this family in a real tangible way. Not merely with the words, because I have none.

There is nothing to say to comfort.

There is nothing to type that will make the loss less.

I imagine what the Hanleys are facing, and yet I cannot imagine the true horror of the reality. I squeeze my kids tighter. I think of all the times they could have been hurt. I think of Christmas without one of them and tears stream down my face.

There are no words, but there are groanings that the Holy Spirit understands. May He interpret their love in my friend’s broken heart.

__________________________

If you would like to send a card, please put “Attn: Dana” on the envelope and mail it to:

Heart of the Matter Online

c/o Angela DeRossett

P.O. Box 13031

Offutt AFB, NE 68113-0031

If you would like to send a memorial gift, please send it to:

Tiny Hands International

DJ is thinking about the individuals displaced by the storm, too. She asked me about ways to help. Prayer is so important, but what actions can follow our petitions to God? He works through our hands.

Jube has dealt with hurricanes on more than one occasion, and gave these suggestions in the Texas Home Educators group. These ideas are for helping evacuees, if they are in your city.

• Take games and coloring books to the shelters and hotels.
• While there, see if you can hold day camp activities for the children.
• Serve a dinner at your church to help with food expenses.

You may not be as close to victims of this storm, but still want to help. Our local food bank is partnering with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. You can find more information at any of those links. Also, I’m sure churches nationwide will be helping with disaster relief. See if you can be a part. The hardest hit areas will need assistance for months to come.

Another question DJ had was about giving homeschoolers books. Last year, I learned of The Book Samaritan through a testimony. This organization distributes curriculum to families who state they have a financial need. The books are stamped with a seal to help ensure they are never sold, so your gift will continue to bless others.

Do you have any other ideas? If you have lived through the aftermath of natural disasters, what blessed you most?

Update: Mandy is collecting donations for her neighbors in the Houston area. You can give through PayPal to the account adropofkindness (at) mandymom (dot) com. She will let you know who your donation helps.