Bloggers are Real People, Too

For those of you who have not heard, Sarah Harkins, a young homeschooling mother of five, was tragically lost (along with her unborn daughter) when she suffered an allergic reaction after having been stung by yellowjackets.  

Prayers are necessary for the support and comfort of those she leaves behind.

She was a graduate of Steubenville University, and the whole community banded together quickly to pray and offer financial support.  I saw the call to prayer as she was being rushed to the hospital and have been following the updates ever since.

Today, however, my online reality coincided with my real life reality.  I found out Sarah hosted a blog and followed the link.  Sarah is the Clay Rosary Girl.  Her rosaries are, by far, the most unique and colorful rosaries I've ever come across (and I was only too happy to tell her this).  I always toyed with the idea of asking her to come to Jersey and do a presentation for my craft circle.  Given the fact that my craft circle is full of non-Catholics, I was pretty sure the idea would never actually fly, but a girl can dream.

Anyway, I never imagined that blog would pop up when I followed that link.  It never occurred to me that I could know the person in the picture... that I could have some connection to her outside the natural empathy that comes with caring for my fellow human being.  

Upon realizing my own oblivion, I felt the air go out of my lungs and a small cry escape my lips.  

"No!"

It was a plea, a prayer, a demand for God to retract His Will and restore to us the light He reclaimed to Himself.

I never met Sarah personally, but I knew her and her family as I know those other bloggers whom I've followed all these years.  I've shared in the trials, joys and prayers of those in this circle of bloggers I've grown with and learned from.  She, just as so many of you, opened the doors of her heart and mind to me.  She gave of herself and asked nothing in return.  She simply wanted to share her time and talent with those of us willing to journey alongside her.  

And now she has journeyed to Heaven.  If computers existed in Heaven, can you just imagine the entries she'd grace us with now?

Oh Lord... this was already a heartbreaking situation.  Having names, faces and memories to put to this tragedy renders me an uncontrollable, sobbing mess.  However, it's made me that much more empathetic towards the family and friends she personally interacted with on a routine basis in real life.  How their hearts must ache for the light she brought forth.  

Please consider donating to the fund set up for the children she left behind.  

Also, let it be known that I love you guys.  Each and every one of you, whether you comment or not, are appreciated, loved and prayed for by me.  For those of you who blog, I mean that in a very special way.  I'm able to appreciate, love and pray more deeply as a result of the life you share with me through your own pages.  

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