It has been a sad morning. I just found out that a friend from the Marfan's forum on Facebook died; probably from an aortic dissection or rupture.  I think she was from Virginia; I never interacted directly with her but her death has hit the online marfan community pretty hard.  She is the embodiment of all of our worst fears.

Today is also the anniversary of the accident which led to the death of  Professor Adolf Hansen's daughter Bonnie.  He was a professor of mine at seminary who taught classes on ministry to the sick and on Death and Dying.. His faith in the face of an unimaginably horrible event was powerful then and has become more meaningful over the years.  Professor Hansen helped us to understand that when we experience tragedy, God understands! After all, God in Christ was crucified! God experienced loss.  Yet, and most importantly, God turned the ultimate tragedy into the ultimate good. Christ was resurrected!

Adolf told us what helped him cope with Bonnie's death. (One never "get's over" a death; and really, would you want to? )  He told us that while God understands and shares our pain, "God works for good in everything."

So, to Shanon and Bonnie: May you rest in peace and dwell forever with The Lord.

As for those of us left to mourn their passing, we pray The Lord will deal graciously with us and help us to see Hope despite our grief.

Amen.