I ran into her college Speech instructor today. She, Mrs S, is simply the loveliest woman - mostly because she loves our students at Union High School; she loves teaching our kids and growing them into college students, and I have always loved her for that. Pour into my kids, my biological kids or my school kids, and I am a fan forever.
Mrs. S. taught Taylor's college Speech class, and when I saw her today, she offered me a hug and then these words. "I wrote something about Taylor when we lost her. I would like to share it with you. It didn't seem right before, or I didn't know if it was right, but I would like to share it with you now. Would that be okay? Is your email the same?" I assured her that the email was the same and replied, "I am just so thankful you will say her name."
The cruel reality is that we go on, the world goes on - we have a purpose to fulfill, a job to do, a mission to complete. I can understand that even when I can't accept it. Never hearing Taylor's voice again is unjust; never hearing her name .....
She was here. She laughed; she loved; she was lazy and driven, thoughtful and sassy, witty and irreverent, messy and brilliant. So when you say her name, my heart warms and I am thankful for the courage it took.
I have friends facing the death of parents, the death of friends and colleagues. We are not immune from death's grasp - and while the world should stop for these families - it won't. Help me remember - with intention - to say their names - because only the light can outshine the darkness.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5
#golighttheworld