December 13, 2010
I am driving in my car this morning and the roads are kind of nasty from the snow we got yesterday. I finally plug in my iPhone so I can listen to my iPod.
Last night on the way home from work I decided to play Steven Curtis Chapman’s CD “Beauty Will Rise.” This CD was written and created after the tragic death of his youngest daughter Maria. Maria passed away on May 21, 2008, only a little less than 2 months before Mari did. His CD is one of the ways he dealt with his grief. All of the songs have great meaning behind them.
As I am heading to my dermatology appointment this morning, one of the last songs I heard was “February 20th.” When you really listen to this song, there is some great meaning and celebration that went behind it. I have listened to this song many times. However, in Mary Beth Chapman’s book “Choosing to See,” she goes into greater detail exactly what that song really is about.
It was just a typical day for their family when Maria questioned them about how to get to heaven. For Steven and Mary Beth, I can just imagine the excitement this brought them and how they lead her to Christ and in turn their other daughter Shoey as well.
So why do I write about all of this. Because in their great joy, which it is, I am so saddened as Keith and I never got to experience this with Mari. She was never able to conceive who or what God or Jesus is. Her autism didn’t allow it.
Mari was such a special little girl. Her smiles could brighten up an entire room. However, she could not comprehend the life that surrounded her. Mari’s world really didn’t have struggles and obstacles like many of us have. Hers were simple things we take for granted like being able to have a simple conversation with someone or understanding that you can get hurt if you dance on the roof or “stranger danger.”
Mari’s world was simple. Sometimes I wish we could all have a little simple in our lives. Maybe we could all strive to be more like her, especially with her unconditional love. Thank you for all that you are and were Mari. You were one special little angel while on this earth and I bet even more so now that you’re in heaven.
I miss you baby girl and mommy misses you very much.