A Sea of Purple for Lizzie
What does the infinite power of love look like to you?
Lizzie Gold, was born April 18, 2011. Shortly after she was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian mosaic syndrome (PKS). The road in front of her parents, Emily and Dave would not be an easy one. The illness interfered with Lizzie's sight, hearing, body, and mind. But that didn't stop her! Defying the odds Lizzie thrived in the ways that she knew how, she lived her live fully and wholeheartedly. Emily and Dave took the lemons and made some damn good lemonade. Lizzie was loved fully by so many. It's not an easy task being a parent to a child with limitations. The Gold family lived each day fully and lovingly. They went on adventures all over, making sure that all of their children, but especially Lizzie were able to experience what life has to offer. May 9, 2019 Lizzie passed away after a few days in the hospital. She was surrounded by her family. She was born encircled with love and died encircled with love. She is Home.
Having someone you love die, is excruciating. There's no denying that. But when the expected chronological order of old dying before young is reversed, it becomes enigmatic. Our brains try to understand and look for reasons. We get angry and we question. There isn't always an answer. Sometimes, it's not up to us, or nurses, or doctors. Sometimes it's not up to the medicine, the IV's, or the machines.
This past Saturday, I had the incredible honor of attending a heartbreaking beautiful funeral. Death is a part of life, but it is never easy. Whether it's been 80 years or 8 years of life, there is no way of having the grief be uncomplicated. Grief is life's challenge for loving someone or something in the depths of your soul.
*Lizzie's favorite color was purple.
Dave and Emily had shared that if people wanted to they could wear some purple to honor Lizzie. Purple is not the most common attire, but the whole sanctuary was filled with various hues of purple. There were people everywhere. Not a single chair or spot was empty. There were even people standing in the back. People who were touched by this little girl's story.
One positive thing about social media is that it allows for people who aren't local to make connections. Emily and Dave's Facebook pages were flooded with prayers, notes of love, memories, and photos from people all over. Lizzie's impact was profound.
Emily, Dave, Charlie, Hannah, and Grace please know that many share in your sorrow and are walking this journey with you. May Lizzie be an example of compassion, love, and strength to us all. Amen.
Lizzie Gold, was born April 18, 2011. Shortly after she was diagnosed with Pallister-Killian mosaic syndrome (PKS). The road in front of her parents, Emily and Dave would not be an easy one. The illness interfered with Lizzie's sight, hearing, body, and mind. But that didn't stop her! Defying the odds Lizzie thrived in the ways that she knew how, she lived her live fully and wholeheartedly. Emily and Dave took the lemons and made some damn good lemonade. Lizzie was loved fully by so many. It's not an easy task being a parent to a child with limitations. The Gold family lived each day fully and lovingly. They went on adventures all over, making sure that all of their children, but especially Lizzie were able to experience what life has to offer. May 9, 2019 Lizzie passed away after a few days in the hospital. She was surrounded by her family. She was born encircled with love and died encircled with love. She is Home.
Having someone you love die, is excruciating. There's no denying that. But when the expected chronological order of old dying before young is reversed, it becomes enigmatic. Our brains try to understand and look for reasons. We get angry and we question. There isn't always an answer. Sometimes, it's not up to us, or nurses, or doctors. Sometimes it's not up to the medicine, the IV's, or the machines.
This past Saturday, I had the incredible honor of attending a heartbreaking beautiful funeral. Death is a part of life, but it is never easy. Whether it's been 80 years or 8 years of life, there is no way of having the grief be uncomplicated. Grief is life's challenge for loving someone or something in the depths of your soul.
*Lizzie's favorite color was purple.
Dave and Emily had shared that if people wanted to they could wear some purple to honor Lizzie. Purple is not the most common attire, but the whole sanctuary was filled with various hues of purple. There were people everywhere. Not a single chair or spot was empty. There were even people standing in the back. People who were touched by this little girl's story.
One positive thing about social media is that it allows for people who aren't local to make connections. Emily and Dave's Facebook pages were flooded with prayers, notes of love, memories, and photos from people all over. Lizzie's impact was profound.
Emily, Dave, Charlie, Hannah, and Grace please know that many share in your sorrow and are walking this journey with you. May Lizzie be an example of compassion, love, and strength to us all. Amen.
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