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The sun shines through the darkest clouds

There is something about the sun that lifts my spirits on pretty much all occasions. Watching the sun reflect off the Mon as I drove down the street where I worked inevitably would make me feel at ease. I do miss that.

While driving to church Easter morning, the sun was shining brightly. I told myself that this was going to be a better week. It just had to be. Last week was spent mourning the deaths of three slain Pittsburgh police officers and feeling my heart break for the family of two kids who went to Jordan's school who were tragically killed in a car accident. The week ended with Father Elmer, a beloved retired priest at my church, accidentally running into a handful of people after the Good Friday service, killing one and injuring others.

It was at once sad and heart-warming at the Easter Vigil mass Saturday night. Walking in the portico and confronting a makeshift memorial for the crash brought tears to my eyes. But listening to Father John talk about people coping with a tragedy and how everyone injured in that crash asked about Fr. Elmer made me feel better. That the family who lost their mother/wife/grandmother is so concerned about how Fr. is doing is a testament to the human spirit and the ability to forgive. (Having TV cameras shoved in your face during mass does provide a little levity, I suppose.)

Yes, last week was not my favorite. But knowing the sun shines through the darkest clouds gives me hope. It reminds me that there is good in the world. That people can overcome tragedy. That there are everyday heroes out there walking among us.

So I will continue to embrace the sun as I feel it but also try to be okay with the rain when it comes too.
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Christine said…
I happened to be driving through Forest Hills last week when the accident happened at the church. I didn't know WHAT was going on, but I saw one, then another, then another, then another ambulance speeding in the other direction. I even turned KDKA on the radio to see if I could find out anything, but didn't hear the story until that night on the news. So sad! (And almost the same thing had just happened a week or so before at the Dellalo's near where I live.) Glad you were able to find comfort amidst the sorrow.
April 14, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Facie said…
I stopped by the school today to drop off Jordan's payment form for school. Afterward, I sat in the church for a few minutes, which happened to be just a few hours after the funeral of the woman who died. Incidentally, Fr. Elmer took part in that mass. I have to say, I felt sad sitting in that church. But maybe it is rain as much as anything else. Maybe I have SAD!
April 15, 2009 at 6:23 PM
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