Today is July 28, 2021.

It was 22 years ago today that our younger daughter Merry was killed in a car/semi truck accident.

So how does a mom get through a tragic loss of a loved one like this?

One day at a time. With God's help!

"This is the day that the Lord has made.

Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

~ Psalm 118:24 LAB

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"O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good 

and His lovingkindness continues forever!"

~ Psalm 136:1 LAB  

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Merry was a pass-around email sender. I deleted many of them; too many to save. And there would be more coming the next day.

But I didn't know there wasn't going to be that many 'next days'. Only nine of them I hadn't deleted.

I am sharing one with you today. As a long-time Karen's Korner reader, have you seen or read it before? Probably!

 

 " THE LITTLE GIRL IN THE PARK "

 

"There was this little girl one day sitting in the park. Everyone passed and never stopped to see why she looked so sad.  Dressed in a worn pink dress, bare foot and dirty, the girl just  sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak, she never said a word.

 

"Many people passed, but never did one person stop. Just so  happens  the next day I decided to go back to the park, in  curiosity, to see if the little girl would still be there. Right in the very spot as she was yesterday she sat perched on high, with the saddest look in her eyes.

 

"Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a  place for young children to play alone.

 

"As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress was obscenely shaped. I figured that was a reason the people just passed by and made no effort to help. Having deformities  was a low blow to our society and "heaven help you" if you make  a step toward assisting someone who is different.

 

 "As I got even closer the little girl slightly lowered her eyes to  avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the obscene shape of her back more clearly. It was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.

 

 "I smiled to let her know it was ok, I was there to help, to  talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple 'Hello'.

 

"The little girl acted shocked and stammered a 'Hi' after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked till darkness fell and the park was completely empty. Everyone was gone and we at once were alone.

 

"I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at  me and with a sad face said, 'Because I'm different.' I  immediately said, 'That you are'" and smiled.

"The little girl acted even sadder, she said, 'I know.'

 

 "'Little girl.' I said, 'You remind me of an angel, sweet and  innocent.'

 

"She looked at me and smiled, slowly she got to her feet and  said, 'Really?"'

 

 "Yes ma'am, you're like a little guardian angel sent to watch over all those people walking by.'

"She shook her head yes and smiled, with that she spread her wings and said, 'I'm your guardian angel, with a twinkle in her eye.

 

 "I was speechless...sure I was seeing things.  She said, 'For  once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done.' 

"I jumped to my feet and said,  'Wait, so why did no one  stop to help an angel?'

 

"She looked at me and smiled, 'You're the only one that could see me. You believe, it's in your heart..' And she was gone. With that my life changed dramatically.

 

 "So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is  always watching over you. Like the story says, we all need someone. Every one of your friends is an angel in their own way."

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