Life is hard.
We want to shield our kids from the hurts of this world.
But we can’t.
For the last three semesters of college, Erica has had an art professor she absolutely loved. “Joe,” as the professor instructed the kids to call him, had been that professor who had inspired Erica to begin thinking about the possibility of getting her Master’s Degree so she could “teach like Joe teaches.” When classes started last week, Erica was so looking forward to Joe’s art class once again!
It’s not often that a parent gets to meet their college student’s professors, but I had the opportunity to meet Joe last Spring. He was very helpful and accommodating during Erica’s health challenges. His Art History class was the only class she actually took an incomplete in last semester. She needed to finish two major tests and Joe told her to just get them done over the summer.
She took one in July and one last Thursday afternoon. Early Friday morning, Joe was brutally murdered.
Yes, you read that right. Wow, people we know don’t usually get brutally murdered.
This has been hard. Erica didn’t have classes on Friday so today was the first day she had to walk into the classroom Joe taught in. She had another art class in the same classroom. Tomorrow she should be going to Joe’s class. But she’ll be going to his funeral instead.
Even though Erica is nearly 19, I’m still her mom. And as her mom I don’t want to see her hurt. But this is a hurt that can’t be fixed with a bandaid. I can’t kiss away the hurt. I can listen. I can hug. I can be there. But grief will take time and she’ll have to work through it in her own way.
Sometimes life is hard. And there’s nothing a mom can do about it at all.
Oh, Jill. I'm so sorry.
keeping erica & you in prayer. that is so tough.
Wow, keeping Erica and your family and Joe's family in my prayers.
How tragic that lives that make a difference here can be taken away like they don't matter. I am truly sorry for your daughter's loss. Teachers that care are too rare a find these days and one's whose lives should be celebrated for all those that they touched.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
This is so true. My mom passed away August 20 and we had her funeral yesterday. Sitting next to my crying 13 year old son and 11 year old daughter was awful. But I have to let them have their space to mourn and not hover over them trying in vain to make everything better. Because I can't. I can help, but only God can soothe their hurting hearts.
Just like He's doing for me.
Oh I am so sorry to hear. God bless his family as they go through this horrible time. God bless all the children who were touched positivley by this teacher- and God bless your daughter in her time of mourning. How sad, I am really sorry to hear of this tragedy. You are such a great mom, she will value that so much as you console her. God Bless you all!
Deb
I'll say a prayer for her and for Joe's family.
Oh, how awful this is…I am so sorry. I will keep your family in my prayers, especially Erica. You are so right–it's so hard, but we can't make this kind of pain any better, can we?
Thank you, all.
Cheri, I'm so sorry about your mom. I will be praying for you and your kids as you grieve the loss of your mom.
Jill, I am praying for Erica. I saw the news about "Joe" in the paper and I couldn't believe it. Now it really hits home that someone that I indirectly know had him as a professor. I pray that Erica, all the other students and "Joe's" family are able to get through this hard time.
You may not feel as if you are able to do much right now, but what you've done over the years — loving Erica, modeling faith, trusting God — those things and so many other things you've built into her have prepared her to walk through this valley, and other valleys, too. Keeping you all in my heart and prayers 🙂
Oh, I am soooo sorry to hear that. My thoughts with your daughter and the professor's family….