* * * My Words, My World, My Way * * *

Please Write: ALewisPDX@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

How Exactly Do You Break the Worst of News ??


How exactly is it that you should look into the warm, innocent, brown eyes of a sparkling little girl and tell her that her mother has been taken away to jail "just for a little while....you're a big girl.....you'll be okay." Oh yeah, really? Or how is it that I am supposed to process the picture that I've been replaying over and over in my mind -- the one of actually hearing the words come from the judge's mouth about the jail term allotted to those who need it and then the handcuffs being placed over the wrists of someone who has finally turned their life around and is desperately trying to make a go of it. Only this time, it's my sister. And only this time, I've cried more than you can know. I've blogged about her HERE and HERE and HERE and you really should look back at her story. One straight from the streets of horrible tragedy to a beautifulness of spirit that is stunning.

Today, we travel to Idaho for my sister's sentencing on Thursday morning. And then we'll be the ones there to share with her daughter, our beautiful niece, about her mother's plight. I must admit, this is one of the most difficult things I've ever faced in my life. You hear about things on television, joke about them, and use them for fodder on late-night talk shows -- but, like many things, until it happens to you "in your own backyard," you don't really get its impact. Here, you'll see how it hurts:

Some days, we forget to look around us,
Some days, we can't see the joy that surrounds us,
So caught up inside ourselves,
We take when we should give,
So for tonight we pray for,
What we know can be,
And on this day we hope for,
What we still can't see,
It's up to us, to be the change,
And even though we all can still do more,
There's so much to be thankful for,
Look beyond ourselves,
There's so much sorrow,
It's way to late to say,
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth,
It's so long overdue,
So for tonight we pray for,
What we know can be,
And everyday, we hope for,
What we still can't see,
It's up to us, to be the change,
And even though we all can still do more,
There's so much to be thankful for,
Even with our differences,
There is a place were all connected,
Each of us can find each others light,
So for tonight, we pray for
What we know can be,
And on this day, we hope for,
What we still can't see,
It's up to us, to be the change,
And even though this world can still do so much more
There's so much to be thankful for.


(Recorded on Noel by Josh Groban)

25 comments:

bardelf said...

Lewis, you and your family are in my prayers and best thoughts all this week. Hugs to you, buddy.

Lemuel said...

Our hearts and prayers go with you, with your sister, and with your niece as you make this difficult but love-filled journey to Idaho

Blair said...

I hold you, my love, and your wondeful family in my heart and you all will continue to be in my prayers each and every day........

Nathan said...

I think blogger ate my comment? Well the gist of it said that I am so sorry, I can't even imagine what you and your family is going through, especially your little niece. It's heartbreaking.

Your video tribute was beautiful.

I love you and am thinking of you.

dpaste said...

Strength and the solid family bonds you have will help to see you through. Good luck, you are in my thoughts.

D-Man said...

Be strong, my friend. She will appreciate your strength more than you can know.

Steven said...

What a beautiful video tribute. Thank you for sharing, Lewis. Thinking of you and yours during this difficult period. May you have the strength to pull yourself through (((((Lewis)))))

Anonymous said...

My tears started flowing in this love of your sister. Ya'll will be in my prayers mr. Much love

d

Ur-spo said...

i a sad with you
usually under these conditions all words are lame and useless ones
good luck; know you are cared for by a lot of people, I included.

Laurie said...

I'm here for you. The hardest part
is the beginning. I wish I could
take her place for you. Take the
pain away.

Wayne said...

My thoughts are with you Lewis.

"W" said...

This just further illustrates just how wonderful you are. Definitely praying extra hard for you and your family. Listen to Josh Groban's "Prayer" duet.

Greg said...

Your being there for both of them sends them the right message. Hugs to you and your family.

Steve said...

Lewis, I wish I had the right words or wisdom to guide you along. But you're such a good soul that something tells me you'll have the right words and actions suitable for this unspeakable situation. I'm so sorry for what you and your family are enduring.

Trailhead said...

Oh, friend. I'll be thinking of you.

Java said...

She has a beautiful smile. I'm praying there will be a lot to smile about after the sentencing.

Matt said...

I'm so sorry, Lewis. I know I can't imagine what this is like. I hope all ends in a positive way, somehow.

WAT said...

But ya see, that little girl is soo lucky to have a great caring uncle like you.

I dunno why we go through these and other kinds of hurdles in life, but there's a lesson in all of them somehow.

As painful and sucky as they may be.

God speed.

Anonymous said...

I feel for your family and wish the best for all. I find it strongly encouraging that you're there with your niece to help her at this pivotal moment in time.

Best wishes and prayers to you and yours.

-C (http://christopherc.wordpress.com/)

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are prayers are with you all, my friend.

My adventures said...

i've read back over the posts and still haven't figured out why she's going to jail in the first place, did i miss that post?

there's a great book you might want to read called "broken" by william moyers... it deals a lot with familial issues surrounding what i can only assume you're going thru... best of luck... and safe driving, the roads are treacherous out here...

K-A said...

My love and blessings I send to you and your family. I am so sorry you have to go through all this, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. There always is at some point.

Hugs to you.

Lemuel said...

It is Thursday. I just thought I would stop by and let you know again that you, your sister, and family have been in my thoughts and prayers. HUGS to you, Lewis.

Java said...

Lewis, I've been checking in throughout the afternoon. Your sister and the family have been on my mind all day, since before daylight eastern time. I hope everything is OK.

daveincleveland said...

dear friend you are all in my prayers this day...hang in there and lots of hugs from cleveland