a friend lost her father yesterday.

sounds funny that we say 'lost' doesn't it? when most people say they lost something, i don't pay a lot of attention, 'cause i know (and they know) that they will find it again.

the fact that this friend's father died suddenly -- overwhelms my heart.

i talked with her yesterday when she was driving an hour and a half to the hospital, and he was enroute to a level I trauma center by helicopter. i prayed with her. felt strangely guilty. or odd. or something surreal. most people in my class said that they couldn't even pretend to understand what her immediate emotions were and what she was going through. but i had rehearsed those emotions. played them over at night. played them over each time i was driving to the hospital to see my dad. played them over everytime i walked down the hallway to his room and peaked around the corner, afraid to see him so small and sick. i thought about my mom and what she would do. and my brothers and my sister who doesn't even live in the country -- and cannot fly because she is very pregnant. i am not trying to turn this entry into 'me,' but just to say, you can't predict life. any part of it. of anyone, i was supposed to deal with what she is facing today and tomorrow and next month when she is trying to fall asleep at night. i played the scenario over and over and, praise the Lord, never had to live it. and somehow she took it... and she now bears that burden. .... again, my heart is overwhelmed. she is living my fear...playing out an awful scenario.

i know that many of you do not know Brandy, but regardless, she lost her dad. there is little else to say. if you could offer up any prayers that her heavenly Father would bring comfort and support and peace, please. be a part of the Body of Christ and mourn with her. pray for her family. we can all say that God is in control, etc etc, and i do not doubt that at all...but we are still humans with souls and hearts and even, God forbid, weaknesses.