One of the things that i have ound challenging is that other families withchidlren with Angelman Synrdome often have update and photos and videos to share of their children's progress and activities, but with Elijah no longer alive in the body I am unable to do so and so I decide that it was fitting that I commemorate elijah's annivesarywith a series of video clips. I was able to share these on my facebook account and also on a Facebook group that I have set up - Fans of Elijah.
Here are links to the videos I put together.
And the latest is me changing Elijah - a month before he died
A number of people have commented to me as comments or by email etc about strength and the journey and questions like I don't know how you manage to continue to share. I would like to share two passages from the Bible that give me hope and courage and bring meaning to the Journey, the pain and the suffering
The first is from the bookof Sirah 2: 1-11 - I read this as a Mass reading on 24th of February this year a could of weeks after Elijah's 5th birthday
Sir 2:1-11
My son, when you come to serve the LORD, stand in justice and fear,
prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast, incline your ear and receive the word of understanding,
undisturbed in time of adversity.
Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not;
thus will you be wise in all your ways.
Accept whatever befalls you,
when sorrowful, be steadfast,
and in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold and silver are tested,
and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and God will help you;
trust in him, and he will direct your way;
keep his fear and grow old therein.
You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy,
turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the LORD, trust him,
and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the LORD, hope for good things,
for lasting joy and mercy.
You who fear the LORD, love him,
and your hearts will be enlightened.
Study the generations long past and understand;
has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed?
Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken?
has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the LORD;
he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble
and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL
Peace be with you all of you who read this and your families
Darren
