The last week has been very difficult for many people, mostly the Protulipac and Bullock family who lost Sarah, age 17, and Gretchen, age 16, in a car accident on April 25. Their funeral was one of the most difficult funerals I have ever attended. In fact, it was one of the most painful things I have ever done, PERIOD.
But beautiful things can come out of tragedy and the girls' parents and their younger sister are trying to find their way back out of the darkness that has engulfed them these past several days, through the comfort of friends, family and a community that will not let go of them, not for a second.
One of the things that the girls' mom, Alison, shared with me was that a scholarship has been created in the girls' name as well as a charitable fund through World Vision. You can learn more about these at www.gretchenandsarah.com.
On Thursday, the families' long-time friend, Julie, eulogized the girls and it was an uplifting speech as she talked about the wonderful things Sarah and Gretchen brought to the lives of everyone they touched. But what touched me most was her parting words in which she described the beauty of spring and the fact that the apple blossoms are in bloom. She said that every now and then, we find a blossom that has fallen from the tree and lay on the ground.
We could look upon that blossom and think what a shame it is that it will never come to fruition and become the apple it was meant to be. She said it is best not to think of what the blossom might have become or what type of apple it would have been before it fell, but instead, to remember the beautiful fragrance it gave us while on the tree and the beauty it provided to those who beheld it. She asked us to remember that the blossom was once alive and vibrant, full of life, and even though it didn't reach its full potential, it gave us something wonderful while it was here.
I took that in and believe that we all need to remind ourselves that while we are on that tree, to remember we are beautiful to those who behold us. Sometimes we wait and wait for ourselves or someone else to become something more and, occasionally, our lives are cut short while we are becoming. Let's enjoy who we are now and who the people around us are now rather than wait for them to become something greater. This is not to say we should never wait patiently and nurture the potential apple we all hope to become, continually striving to be better, but while we are in bloom, remember that we are providing something positive. Embrace the fragrance that you have to offer as you ripen and mature and embrace the unique bloom you are right here and right now.
May God bless the legacy that Sarah and Gretchen leave behind and may He restore their family and friends as they ripen and mature through this life we are all called to live. And may we always remember two fallen blossoms who made our lives better while they were here.
Please consider becoming a part of their legacy by visiting their site and donating to their fund.
Copyright 2009 liamsgrandma
