Sean that is a phenomenal and beautiful piece of writing. You are a master wordsmith and a powerful storyteller. My heart was in my mouth the entire time and the ending broke my heart. Simply beautiful.
It sounds so casual; “I met her in her hospital room with my Scrabble board in tow.” Her mother wrote to you and told you that her 16-year-old child was dying and that she wanted to play Scrabble with you, and you went. That, my sweet man, is Jesus in the skin. You change lives with these “little” acts of kindness that are so huge. You affirm them, you see them, and you let them know they matter.
I run a women's ministry in Uganda. It's very small, but it's very mighty. I'm going back over for the 13th time on the 2nd. We do what we do out of pure love, just like you. When someone tells me that they now know that “God sees them,” because we went, priceless, just like you.
When your father took his own life and tore your world apart, could you ever have imagined this life you’re living today? He has given you beauty for ashes and you have become a modern day disciple. It’s beautiful.
I love this story. I got all choked up as I read it. I remember sitting in the waiting room at the UAB Cancer Center in 2007. While I was waiting for my daily radiation treatment a child would be rolled in for treatment. My first thought was, take me Lord, not them. To see a child suffering made my cancer seem insignificant. Kids are so courageous. For whatever reason, God spared me. I have been cancer free now for 16 years. I am 74. One day soon, I will see all those kids again. What a glorious day that will be.
I’m sorry for the loss of your young friend. Thank you for going to see her. You fulfilled an item on her bucket list. You are a special soul. You won’t agree with that, and that’s okay, but you just are. She was filled with the holy spirit. That’s why she was ready. We can all form a word from that. F-A-I-T-H. ❤️
My mother and daughter use to play scrabble every time they were together. My mother always won, except one time, and she died not long after that game. She made my daughter a paper star to wear that day she won. Thanks for the memories.
Just finished reading “Scrabble”. Scrabble was my mom’s favorite game. Every time we would make the trip from Rosinton to Birmingham to visit Mom’s Aunt Uker and Cousin Polly, a Scrabble game was played a couple of times a day. Despite my Great Aunt Uker making up words to gain more points, Mom would win about 95% of the games. Mom was also a rabid crossword puzzler so I always called it her a ringer when it came time to play a game of Scrabble. One of my mom’s best friends was a schoolteacher and despite Ila Mae having a college degree, my mom and her barely “C” high school education beat Ila Mae every time. Wouldn’t it be cool if God saw fit for Mom and “Ariel” to play Scrabble with each other? I look forward to the day when Mom will beat the pants off of me in a game of Scrabble.
A beautiful story. There are two types of healing: 1) Earthly healing by doctors and medicine led by God’s guidance and 2) Heavenly Healing the divine healing that places us in the loving arms of God.
Prayers can be difficult as we pray for our love ones who are dying. I have prayed selfishly for Earthly Healing only later to realize that the greatest healing for my parents, siblings, and husband was a Heavenly Healing. Thanks be to God.
My Dad got his Heavenly Healing almost 5 years ago. I will forever be more greatful for that than anything else. BECAUSE of that I KNOW I’ll see him again one day when I get to heaven. Jesus mended his soul over his body… God always knows the greater plan. 💚🙏
Once again, you leave me speechless but I have to try and express the emotions you bring to my mind and my heart. You are so wise and caring as you tell the stories of those you seek out or happen upon. You paint a picture with your words all the while you are showing such love and concern for all those you encounter. You are so generous to share Ariel and all the other heroes you write about with us all. They are wise, caring and oh so beautiful just like you, Sean. Thank you!
F-A-I-T-H is on the Scrabble board and believing it, is the winner! The stories about children leaving us are the most difficult to read. Hurts the heart! Many children’s stories encourage those of us left behind. If ever someone had a story to share, this dear Ariel’s was 100% inspirational! Prayers for her family and friends.
Sean, you are a special person. What a gifted writer you are. You share your heart and love with so many people. That is not easy. I wonder who is winning, your grandmother or the sweet teen.
Sean, sweetheart, (I can say that because I’m probably older than your mother and little, gray-haired old ladies can get away with a lot.) your columns of absolute victory overwhelm me to the point of tears over and over again. This is your beautiful gift to the world. And I am so very grateful.
Sean that is a phenomenal and beautiful piece of writing. You are a master wordsmith and a powerful storyteller. My heart was in my mouth the entire time and the ending broke my heart. Simply beautiful.
Yes, yes, yes and yes, Rik.
It sounds so casual; “I met her in her hospital room with my Scrabble board in tow.” Her mother wrote to you and told you that her 16-year-old child was dying and that she wanted to play Scrabble with you, and you went. That, my sweet man, is Jesus in the skin. You change lives with these “little” acts of kindness that are so huge. You affirm them, you see them, and you let them know they matter.
I run a women's ministry in Uganda. It's very small, but it's very mighty. I'm going back over for the 13th time on the 2nd. We do what we do out of pure love, just like you. When someone tells me that they now know that “God sees them,” because we went, priceless, just like you.
Thank you for your ministry. Will put your organization on my prayer list.
WOFAHU.org
When your father took his own life and tore your world apart, could you ever have imagined this life you’re living today? He has given you beauty for ashes and you have become a modern day disciple. It’s beautiful.
Sean,
I love this story. I got all choked up as I read it. I remember sitting in the waiting room at the UAB Cancer Center in 2007. While I was waiting for my daily radiation treatment a child would be rolled in for treatment. My first thought was, take me Lord, not them. To see a child suffering made my cancer seem insignificant. Kids are so courageous. For whatever reason, God spared me. I have been cancer free now for 16 years. I am 74. One day soon, I will see all those kids again. What a glorious day that will be.
I feel exactly the same.
❤️
I’m sorry for the loss of your young friend. Thank you for going to see her. You fulfilled an item on her bucket list. You are a special soul. You won’t agree with that, and that’s okay, but you just are. She was filled with the holy spirit. That’s why she was ready. We can all form a word from that. F-A-I-T-H. ❤️
God gave her a 7 letter word in the end
C-O-M-F-O-R-T and with that she won again!
My mother and daughter use to play scrabble every time they were together. My mother always won, except one time, and she died not long after that game. She made my daughter a paper star to wear that day she won. Thanks for the memories.
Sometimes...sometimes...your words just leave me...wordless...
Just finished reading “Scrabble”. Scrabble was my mom’s favorite game. Every time we would make the trip from Rosinton to Birmingham to visit Mom’s Aunt Uker and Cousin Polly, a Scrabble game was played a couple of times a day. Despite my Great Aunt Uker making up words to gain more points, Mom would win about 95% of the games. Mom was also a rabid crossword puzzler so I always called it her a ringer when it came time to play a game of Scrabble. One of my mom’s best friends was a schoolteacher and despite Ila Mae having a college degree, my mom and her barely “C” high school education beat Ila Mae every time. Wouldn’t it be cool if God saw fit for Mom and “Ariel” to play Scrabble with each other? I look forward to the day when Mom will beat the pants off of me in a game of Scrabble.
A-N-G-E-L 💗
A beautiful story. There are two types of healing: 1) Earthly healing by doctors and medicine led by God’s guidance and 2) Heavenly Healing the divine healing that places us in the loving arms of God.
Prayers can be difficult as we pray for our love ones who are dying. I have prayed selfishly for Earthly Healing only later to realize that the greatest healing for my parents, siblings, and husband was a Heavenly Healing. Thanks be to God.
My Dad got his Heavenly Healing almost 5 years ago. I will forever be more greatful for that than anything else. BECAUSE of that I KNOW I’ll see him again one day when I get to heaven. Jesus mended his soul over his body… God always knows the greater plan. 💚🙏
Once again, you leave me speechless but I have to try and express the emotions you bring to my mind and my heart. You are so wise and caring as you tell the stories of those you seek out or happen upon. You paint a picture with your words all the while you are showing such love and concern for all those you encounter. You are so generous to share Ariel and all the other heroes you write about with us all. They are wise, caring and oh so beautiful just like you, Sean. Thank you!
F-A-I-T-H is on the Scrabble board and believing it, is the winner! The stories about children leaving us are the most difficult to read. Hurts the heart! Many children’s stories encourage those of us left behind. If ever someone had a story to share, this dear Ariel’s was 100% inspirational! Prayers for her family and friends.
Sean, you are a special person. What a gifted writer you are. You share your heart and love with so many people. That is not easy. I wonder who is winning, your grandmother or the sweet teen.
Sean, sweetheart, (I can say that because I’m probably older than your mother and little, gray-haired old ladies can get away with a lot.) your columns of absolute victory overwhelm me to the point of tears over and over again. This is your beautiful gift to the world. And I am so very grateful.
❤️💕❤️💕
Linda, you're on fire today!
Pubert