Finding the Good...
If you haven’t read the post below this one (My humbling experience, 1) then do not read this until you’ve read that one. The conclusion of this will not make sense, but be equally painful, as I continued from where I’ve left off.
Isaiah 41:10
That’s the scripture that my sweet Sister Tuckett, my previous Mia Maid leader, gave me. She smiled kindly and held my hand as I cried on her shoulder—crying for baby Elle, whose family was so perfect and lovely. We received news following church, however, that her condition was hopeful. She had regained consciousness, was no longer on life support (a miracle), and had been awake long enough to look her mother in the eyes and say, “I love you.”
My mood was lighter. Although I continued to shed helpless tears alongside the friends in the ward, the hope of seeing baby Elle at church again brought me brief joy. The rest of the day didn’t seem so hard.
Monday, February 6, 2012 around 2:00pm, Elle’s condition began to falter. Her chance of survival became less hopeful, but still persistent. Monday was a very hard day for me as I awaited updates on the baby girl’s conditions, but none came. Tuesday morning, terror struck. I learned in a very heartbreaking message that Elle had suffered a severe stroke the night before, leaving her paralyzed on her left side, and causing constant damage to her brain. She was now only surviving on life support and the family was now facing very difficult decisions.
I received a message at school the following day, February 8th, that Elder Bednar had come to see the family after learning of Elle’s condition. He had come and spoken to her parents, giving them what is possibly the most humbling and tender hour of their lives. Our ward waited anxiously for any news of Elle, but at the same time, a situation of comfort and peace seemed to overwhelm us all during that time.
That day, after school, Elle’s sweet mother announced that she would be passing away that evening after being taken off of life support.
That is a “moment” in life that is never forgotten. The thought of that baby girl—the girl who I spent time with, who I loved because her family was so genuinely happy; the girl whose sister I spent time with and danced with and hung out with constantly and shared so many inside jokes—it broke me. It tore me apart.
How can God take children so young? How can He take these precious, innocent lives when they are too young and pure to know the difference? How can this damage come upon such an innocent family?
Here is the answer:
God’s Loan"I'll lend to you for a little time,
A child of mine," He said,
"For you to love the while she lives
And mourn for when she's dead.
"It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you till I call her back,
Take care of her for me?
"She'll bring her charms to gladden you
And should her stay be brief,
You'll have these precious memories
As solace for your grief.
"I cannot promise she will stay
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
"I've looked this world over,
In my search for teachers true.
In the crowds that throng life's land,
I have selected you.
"Now will you give her all your love
Not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
To take her back again?"
It seems to me I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done.
For all the joys a child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.
"We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.
"And should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."
"Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them;
for such is the Kingdom of God." Mark 10:14
Her name was Isabelle, but her family called her Elle. She was four years old, and in church I’d sit behind her and she’d sing really loud and climb up on the chairs to hug her older sisters. She had a best friend named Cam, and he was her brother, only a year older than her. She’d play Barbies with her oldest sister Kenzie, who had just signed four years away at BYU-H and would be leaving in the summer for college. She’d dance with her sister Mia, who was a really good dancer and taught her so many things. She was the youngest of six children, followed by three young boys with much anticipation of a little sister.
She was walking home from her neighbors house two doors over, where her little friend Sienna lived. Sienna and Elle were going to marry Justin Bieber, they’d established that months ago. Sienna’s sweet mother turned to Elle and said, “It’s time for you to go home, Elle.” And Elle listened and say goodbye and left. As she was almost home, her next-door neighbor, a father of a few children, anxiously hurried everyone into the car and pulled out of his driveway. Poor little Elle was walking behind his car when he left, but she was not in his sight, of course. She was merely four years old, too small to be seen.
He backed directly over her, crushing her shoulder, lungs, and almost every major vital organ in her body. Elle threw up blood due to internal injuries, and spectators anxiously rushed to her and called police. Sweet baby Elle fought hard for those few hours, and even days, but her Spirit belongs to Heavenly Father.
At the funeral yesterday, the family was in a complete state of purity and calmness. They were dressed in white and pink, and spoke highly of Elle and reminisced through letters from each child of their personal relationship with their baby sister. The testimonies were unbelievable. Over 600 people showed, and every pink flower and picture and song brought in the spirit of little Isabelle Marie, who never left the room. Her Spirit was there that day, watching her little body be buried as she comforted her family, who remained at peace as they laid to rest their beautiful heavenly angel.
Isabelle Marie Evans, her obituary was beautiful and loving. She was a beautiful little girl, and now gets to watch over and protect her family from above, as she reigns with Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom.
