My daughter has lost two sons. After the death of the second one she would purposely leave basketballs on the driveway court where he often played with his friends. She said that hearing other boys play was so much better than the silence reminding her that her son was gone. Yes! Share a Thanksgiving meal!
After my daughter's 26-year-old son died in a one-car accident, his younger brother had a fear of driving which he could not conquer. He lost his battle with anxiety two days before turning 16. He had been loved. He had been counseled. His closest buddies didn't see it coming. He was an incredibly awesome kid who loved without measure. (The police took his cell phone and his mom told them she did not want to know if anyone had bullied him into his action that night. His father was Hispanic so some of the white supremacists in the county had given him grief over that. Whatever the case, his mother did not want to know.)
I know more people who have lost a child than seems fair. Just one person losing one child isn’t fair. Friendship is a two way street. Of course you can invite him. It’s so much better that he would have the invitation than for either of you to miss out. If his mom pulls herself together and does something for Thanksgiving, he’ll have that to be thankful for. If she doesn’t, it would be such a shame for him to miss what you can offer. Maybe he’ll have two, and everybody will have an abundance of good things to share. If he makes it to your house this year, who knows, maybe he and his mom could come to your house next year. Share the blessings of friendship and there will probably be more good things happen than you know.
To quote Bob Goff, Love Does. If you have the urge to do something good by all means do it. When Jesus says, ‘follow me’, He means learn my ways and ‘do’ as I did on earth. Granted the learning is the easy part.
Likely the young man is trying to ‘find’ his friend in your family too. There may be a reason, unknown for now, the Lord has placed him in your heart. And you in his.
Your son and ‘the’ Son will be delighted in the end. Happy Thanksgiving.
My whole life is a sort of “adopting” others. Thanksgiving has always been open door at my house. We invite and include anyone who doesn’t have a place to go. From a single mom with 4 kids, to anyone my kids want to invite, anyone is welcome. Reaching out to others, sharing a meal or just being a steady presence, we are better than we were. I’m sure that is not said as eloquently as others could say it, but the point is to open yourself up to anyone who needs a space, at your table or in your heart.
I almost drew back a little when I saw death in the opening paragraph, but it has to be talked about. It happens in everyone’s lives until it is their turn. The holidays often magnify the pain. It’s true, Sean, the loss of a close loved one changes everything. I’ve not found much good in loss, but the one usual result is very good—empathy toward others who have recently experienced a significant loss.
Pone, it taked two halves make a whole. I feel a little of God's work in dis one. By all means, invite the kid over. Not gone hurt a thing! Linder you up awful early- it's passed your bedtime! Dis is how wounds heal...
Often in life we “adopt” others into our families or find that we have been “adopted” ourselves. Blood has very little to do with the true meaning of family. We naturally gravitate to those who make us feel warm, loved, safe, self-assured. I pray the mother in San Antonio will allow herself to be wrapped in the love of a son and, in turn, give the young man the love he seeks in a mother. May they become family.
Beautiful written my dear friend you always do put a smile on my face as well as always in my heart thank you for all your great stories never stop writing my dear wonderful friend 🙏
Great advice Sean. We never know what a simple act of kindness can ultimately do to help someone. PS...and also help us. Love on this boy as you feel best. It will not go to waste.
Absolutely invite the young man over for Thanksgiving! Family dynamics can be weird. Yes he has a family, but he may feel closer to you than his family. There are so many people out there with no family. One year for Christmas we invited several single folks to join us and it was such a wonderful time. Sean you give such good advice!
I’m sorry about the loss of your son. I’m praying for YOU. I’m also praying that God would continue to give you opportunities to share that love with many. It’s obvious the LOVE you have to share is wonderful bc this young man is drawn to it!
The lady’s statement, “I find myself wanting to love this boy. . .” Is the way God speaks to those who have “ears to hear.” He whispers into the ears of our soul. God is love. It is God’s love for this boy she feels, as well as that of her own.
My daughter has lost two sons. After the death of the second one she would purposely leave basketballs on the driveway court where he often played with his friends. She said that hearing other boys play was so much better than the silence reminding her that her son was gone. Yes! Share a Thanksgiving meal!
❤️❤️
God bless her. This makes her feel closer to her boys
After my daughter's 26-year-old son died in a one-car accident, his younger brother had a fear of driving which he could not conquer. He lost his battle with anxiety two days before turning 16. He had been loved. He had been counseled. His closest buddies didn't see it coming. He was an incredibly awesome kid who loved without measure. (The police took his cell phone and his mom told them she did not want to know if anyone had bullied him into his action that night. His father was Hispanic so some of the white supremacists in the county had given him grief over that. Whatever the case, his mother did not want to know.)
I know more people who have lost a child than seems fair. Just one person losing one child isn’t fair. Friendship is a two way street. Of course you can invite him. It’s so much better that he would have the invitation than for either of you to miss out. If his mom pulls herself together and does something for Thanksgiving, he’ll have that to be thankful for. If she doesn’t, it would be such a shame for him to miss what you can offer. Maybe he’ll have two, and everybody will have an abundance of good things to share. If he makes it to your house this year, who knows, maybe he and his mom could come to your house next year. Share the blessings of friendship and there will probably be more good things happen than you know.
Lander, you and EC are laying it on us today! By da way, you're so right, Carl!
Pu
To quote Bob Goff, Love Does. If you have the urge to do something good by all means do it. When Jesus says, ‘follow me’, He means learn my ways and ‘do’ as I did on earth. Granted the learning is the easy part.
Likely the young man is trying to ‘find’ his friend in your family too. There may be a reason, unknown for now, the Lord has placed him in your heart. And you in his.
Your son and ‘the’ Son will be delighted in the end. Happy Thanksgiving.
Padre, as usual it sounds so much better when you say it. Epistle of the day!
Pubert Earle
My whole life is a sort of “adopting” others. Thanksgiving has always been open door at my house. We invite and include anyone who doesn’t have a place to go. From a single mom with 4 kids, to anyone my kids want to invite, anyone is welcome. Reaching out to others, sharing a meal or just being a steady presence, we are better than we were. I’m sure that is not said as eloquently as others could say it, but the point is to open yourself up to anyone who needs a space, at your table or in your heart.
I don’t think anyone could have said it better Connie! I’m sure your family is richer for your loving openness.
Connie, it was said Purty good to old Pube. We hear you talkin!
Pu
I almost drew back a little when I saw death in the opening paragraph, but it has to be talked about. It happens in everyone’s lives until it is their turn. The holidays often magnify the pain. It’s true, Sean, the loss of a close loved one changes everything. I’ve not found much good in loss, but the one usual result is very good—empathy toward others who have recently experienced a significant loss.
Sympathy is a Positive...and the capacity for EMPATHY surpasses it to a tremendous extent.
Sweet, Leigh. Da Circle of Life. The Alpha and the Omega!
Pu
Pone, it taked two halves make a whole. I feel a little of God's work in dis one. By all means, invite the kid over. Not gone hurt a thing! Linder you up awful early- it's passed your bedtime! Dis is how wounds heal...
Pubertini Earlisco
Pu, you so crazy! I always enjoy reading your comments!! Have a super day my friend!
Thanks Sean for such motivational story and the prompt reply to query of SanAntonio!
Happy Thanksgiving to y'All.
NN where you been? You've been missed! Happy Thanksgiving!
Pubert Earle
Thanks for asking. I've been away from screen. Eyes issue!
Often in life we “adopt” others into our families or find that we have been “adopted” ourselves. Blood has very little to do with the true meaning of family. We naturally gravitate to those who make us feel warm, loved, safe, self-assured. I pray the mother in San Antonio will allow herself to be wrapped in the love of a son and, in turn, give the young man the love he seeks in a mother. May they become family.
Great advice and thoughts Lisa!
Pubert
Beautiful written my dear friend you always do put a smile on my face as well as always in my heart thank you for all your great stories never stop writing my dear wonderful friend 🙏
Wonderful. And blessings to that mother who gets that loving is the biggest part of motherhood.
The loss of a child is devastating, and it changes everything. Your heart is shattered in a million pieces, and your brain shuts down.
Eventually, you begin taking baby steps to a new normal, and you naturally gravitate to what you lost…a replacement for that child.
That is not to say that you seek another child to mother, but rather a child who can be a close friend. And there is nothing disloyal about that.
In fact, that friendship pays tribute to the child who is gone, and it shows how much love you lost. The greater the love, the more pain you suffer.
So make a friend, and love that friend, and honor your child. Trust me…God approves✝️
Beautiful ♥️
Great advice Sean. We never know what a simple act of kindness can ultimately do to help someone. PS...and also help us. Love on this boy as you feel best. It will not go to waste.
Right again AC!
Pu
Absolutely invite the young man over for Thanksgiving! Family dynamics can be weird. Yes he has a family, but he may feel closer to you than his family. There are so many people out there with no family. One year for Christmas we invited several single folks to join us and it was such a wonderful time. Sean you give such good advice!
Roxanne
We have done the same at Thanksgiving many times. We have wonderful memories from those times!!!
To H.I.S.A:
I’m sorry about the loss of your son. I’m praying for YOU. I’m also praying that God would continue to give you opportunities to share that love with many. It’s obvious the LOVE you have to share is wonderful bc this young man is drawn to it!
The lady’s statement, “I find myself wanting to love this boy. . .” Is the way God speaks to those who have “ears to hear.” He whispers into the ears of our soul. God is love. It is God’s love for this boy she feels, as well as that of her own.
I love that Glenn! Very well said!