Two young children, led by family and surrounded by a host of strangers, are going into a church in Memphis this morning for a funeral. They're not sure what's happened to their dad, and why they haven't seen him in a few days. They know their mother is upset, but being strong. Their grandparents are there with them and appear sad, but the kids aren't really sure why. Going to church is a happy occasion to them.
They'll see hundreds of men and women in uniforms of every style and color today. But every uniform will have a common trait - a black band over their badges of gold or silver.
A young woman will hold the hands of those kids as they walk down the aisle together, and she will be fearful for their future. Security was shattered this week.
Later, they will take a long drive through a hot, sunny Mississippi Delta and gather at a small cemetery. They'll probably spend the weekend with grandparents in that town. The next few weeks will bring to their young lives a new reality, one with a void. In time, that void will grow less stark, but it will always remain. It will be with them forever, with hardly a day passing on the calendar that they're not reminded of that which is missing.
Until you have lived it, it is impossible to know.
Grace & peace to them, until they are reunited.
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