Last Friday, a brave young man lost his battle with cancer. Mark Strong from Oakland graduated with my brother Zach (meaning he was only 27), and he had been battling cancer for several years. I didn't know Mark well, but his struggle and his loss has touched me. He was a kind and brave person who didn't deserve to die, and didn't deserve to suffer in pain for so many years.
That same night, Lisa Robinson died suddenly and unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack. Lisa Robinson is the mother of Kansas basketball player Thomas Robinson. Thomas, 19 years old and a college sophomore, has endured more loss in the last month than anyone I've known. His maternal grandmother died in late December, his maternal grandfather died two weeks ago, and he lost his mother (who was only 43) unexpectedly a week ago. T-Rob heard the news of his mother's death by phone call from his 7 year old sister in Washington DC. These two young people lost the three people who have raised them in less than a month.
Both of these tragedies have touched me, evoked many tears, and weighed on my mind for the last week (and not just because I'm an emotional, pregnant basketcase). The amount of grief and loss that Mark's friends and family, as well as Thomas and Jayla Robinson, are feeling must be unreal. How could God allow someone so young and good to suffer from such a horrible disease, and be taken from the world far too soon? How could God allow Thomas and his sister to lose the three most important people in their lives, at such a young age and in such a short time? How can they possibly get through such devastation, hopelessness, and loss? Faith. Family. Friends. Mark had so many people who loved him, and I hope all his friends and family can lean on each other and their faith in God to get through this difficult time. Thomas is a part of wonderful and supportive extended family at KU, and the outpouring of support from the community and university has been overwhelming.
At times like these, I don't understand. When I lost my three babies, I didn't understand. I may never understand, but maybe I'm not meant to understand. Faith is believing in God, believing in something we can't see, something bigger than ourselves. Faith and God's will have gotten me to this point in my life, and in June we will finally (God willing) welcome a healthy baby of our own. While I will never understand and never forget, I have found peace. I hope and pray that faith will carry Mark's family and friends and Thomas and Jayla Robinson through this difficult time. May God's grace and the power of prayer lift them up, and in time I hope they too will find peace.
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