A solemn anniversary

My heart has been heavy all day. I have been carrying the memory of two beautiful souls with me, and feeling anguish as I recalled the tragic way they left this world.

My heart breaks when I remember

. . . Janine's wake, when her father gave the most heart-breaking eulogy that had the entire packed-to-overflowing church sobbing uncontrollably.

. . . seeing the equally packed-to-overflowing church at Paul's funeral all singing "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord". Many had their arms outstretched and many, many tears were shed. ("You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, 'Lord blessed be Your name'.")

. . . the solemn faces of their classmates in complete shock the morning we found out about the tragedy

. . . being home alone when I received the news they had found their bodies.

. . . having Paul's parents hug me and console me at his wake. They remembered me, he had told them about me -- the funny girl from his road trip to NYC who screamed when the car skidded on the icy roads -- and they wanted to give me peace.

. . . the peaceful other-worldly faces of the two departed ones. With us bodily, but gone to their Beloved in spirit.

These two amazing young people defy description for their heroic love for the forgotten ones, the elderly and the unborn, for their prayerful attentiveness to anyone who needed them, for their constant smiles and their genuine joy.

I have been so blessed to have known them. I am blessed beyond measure to count on their prayers today.

{For those of you who would like to read two more touching tributes to these amazing souls, please go here and here.}

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I never had the pleasure of meeting Janine, but I'll never forget Paul. Funny, I spent only a few days with him in June of 2002, but he left such an impression. It's hard to think of the lives that were so tragically cut short, but beautiful to think of two powerful intercessors, rejoicing before their Saviour.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ErinFebruary 2, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Jenna, I remember standing at the back of St. Hedwig's during Janine's wake, holding my babe Jeremiah and my heart literally feeling ripped out as I heard Mr. Lieu cry out his anguish at his daughter's death. Those are moments I won't soon forget. But her face, and Paul's face in their caskets...faces of peace, total peace. I want that peace.

    ReplyDelete
  3. katiemamaFebruary 3, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    I remember Paul well, I considered him a kindred spirit :) We met during my NET interview weekend in June of 2002, but I saw him again several times while we were on the road that year and at World Youth Day that summer. He was one of the bravest and open souls I have ever known. Completely unashamed of the Gospel and the truth he stood by. Thank you for this post today :) Now i'm going to go dig out the photos I have of us wearing our t-shirts "don't worry, be happy" and "PROUD VIRGIN" haha :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Julie CulshawFebruary 3, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    Jenna, what has happened to the other two students who were in the van? What a terrible burden they must carry, having survived this and losing their friends. What guilt they must carry. I heard one of them was charged with homicide, have you any news about them?

    ReplyDelete
  5. ClaireFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Jenna, I have had your name on my heart the last while. So, please know there've been lots of prayers sent heavenward.

    ReplyDelete

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