“We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who love us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss.”
― Cassandra Clare, City of Heavenly Fire
A little over two weeks ago I walked into “Memory Lane” at the Taste of David’s Refuge, holding Brenda’s hand, and started to weep as I began to remember all the people who have loved us, encouraged us, and reminded us over and over again that we are loved and not alone. Memory Lane was filled with pictures and graphics and guest comments from the past ten years. As we read some of the guest comments we were reminded of meals shared, weekends away, tears shed, and laughter as moms and dads shared their stories of raising their child with a special need or life-threatening illness. Our hearts almost exploded with pride as we thought about the lives touched and changed by David’s story and our faith to pay forward what so many had done for us.
One of my favorite memories was sitting with a mom and dad in what used to be David’s bedroom but was now the sitting room for our David’s Refuge guests. Their daughter did not have a clear diagnosis. They felt very alone. Unlike many other parents who could call up another family whose child had a similar diagnosis, they had no one. Brenda and I listened to them, cried with them, and reminded them that they were not alone and were loved by God. Knowing that they were people of faith I told them, “You realize your daughter is a divine assignment, given to you by God! He chose you to love her and raise her.” The moment I said this I almost saw a physical change in my friend’s being. It was like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. And now almost every time I see them, my friend embraces me and whispers in my ear with tears in his eyes, “My daughter is a divine assignment from God.”
I wonder what is your favorite memory from being a part of the David’s Refuge family? I would love for you to share it with all of us. Each memory shared, each piece of your life and story when combined with all the others reminds us that we are not alone, loved and that we have hope.
