I saw . . .

Today. .

I saw a father, unable to breathe on his own, with oxygen strapped underneath his nose, wheeled down the aisle of a church to take one last look at his beloved daughter.

I saw a young woman who laid down her life for the sake of her mother. . . who gave up everything to be beside her mom. . . to care for her and take care of her. . . clothed with strength and dignity. I saw this young woman peer down to her grandfather with her face shining as if lighted up by the brightest light. Her face was radiant. Her smile was tender and loving and caring. She stopped down to pick up and help her grandfather's frail, fragile body out of his wheelchair so that he may sit in the pew beside her. I saw this same young woman rub the back of her beloved grandfather as he grieved for the loss of his daughter and her mother. I saw this young woman be strong for her brothers, sister, dad, and grandfather.

I wonder, as this elderly man, listened to the kind things being spoken of his daughter. . . if he thought back to the day he buried his wife and her mother of the same dreaded disease. . . breast cancer. I wonder if he thought, "This isn't right. Parents aren't supposed to bury their children."

I saw a little girl draped over her older sister's shoulder. . . sleeping. . . Here is a day that will change her life forever and she probably won't have any recollection of it. She felt peaceful enough to sleep. . . knowing her Mommy is now with Jesus. I saw this precious child wake up, put her feet on the pew in front of her. . . so free from all the grief and worry and fear an event such as the death of your mother would bring. This little one then skipped to her father's lap. His face lit up when she came up to him to be coddled in his arms. His smile was precious. . . as I know he sees his bride, his sweetheart in the face of this little one. I think he held her extra tight this day. My heart hurts for this little one. . . as she will not know her mother. . . she probably will not remember her. . . she will only know those things that people tell her about this wonderful woman. However, more so than knowing her mother and as heartbreaking as that it is. . . it is much, much more important for this little one to know Christ.

I saw the oldest of the 11 put her head on her husband's shoulder. . . knowing how weak and frail she must feel on the inside. . . . ready to break at any given moment. Yet, a little later she turns back and looks to her siblings on the rows behind her. I know the heart of the oldest (for I am one). . . making sure everyone else is okay. Being strong for her sisters, her brothers, and her Dad. . .yet, when it is safe, she will crumble. . . crumble into the arms of her husband and to her Lord.

I saw a father, a husband, stroke the head of his youngest son. Then, as the choir sang, he would lift that same hand and praise his Lord. . . and then that same hand would return to stroke his youngest son's head. . Absolutely precious . . . so.very.tender.

I saw a son close his eyes in worship, yet barely able to muster the words from his lips. Praising the One who gives and takes away. . .

I saw a daughter, bobbing her head to the beat of the music, singing songs of worship, praising the Lord, with such a look of peace through such a time of suffering in the life of she and her family.

I saw a couple of the children with faces so hard, unmovable, afraid that if they blinked an eye a tear would fall, and then they'd crumble . . . crumble into a million pieces. . . not knowing how they would ever pick themselves up again. May it be only their faces that are hard and not their hearts.

Diana Davis has touched more than just the lives of her 11 children and her husband. She's made a mark on all of our lives. She was an inspiration and a shining example of a Godly woman. She will be missed . . . for her seat is now empty. . .