I've been crying a lot lately. Lots of things around me have brought me to tears. Watching Joannie skate both programs in Vancouver did it. Both times. Boy, has her incredibly terrible situation trudged up feelings and memories I'd rather forget. Well, maybe not forget. But not think about so deeply very often.

I also linked to a blog written by a family I don't know at all, who's 2-year old girl is dying of cancer. She is in the final stages. That's made me cry many times. Every time I read an update (and the family twitters, so there are little updates often), I fall to my knees in thankfulness to God that He has thus-far spared our family this horrific experience. I just want to cuddle my kids and never let them go. I hate to read about it, because I can barely handle it, and yet I am drawn to this story (as I have been to others of a similar nature) in a strange way. I feel for this family, and don't know how they can be so strong. Yes, I understand that they have Christ as their anchor, but they are human and there are obviously going to be more moments of despair and questioning and all that than moments of peace. But the more I think about it, the more I realize that they aren't strong, in and of themselves, and they are probably just hanging on. I'm sure they don't feel strong; I'm sure they feel betrayed; I'm sure that there is so much more complexity to their emotions then they are willing or able to write about on their blog. And they are honest in their blog - the mother has posted many times about her frustration and anger and grief. They are probably just doing what they have to do to get by. I know I would be. I truly hope that I NEVER have to experience the death of one of my children, whether as young children or as grown adults. That's not the natural cycle of life. Unfortunately, cancer, among other diseases and situations, doesn't adhere to the natural cycle of life. I can't imagine the unbearable pain this family is going through. More than anything, they need our prayers, because if they are anything like me, they will struggle with praying - maybe more or less than I did/do, but probably to some degree. So let's pray for them. Let's lift them up when they can't lift themselves up. Please pray for Little Layla and her family.You can go to their twitter page here: http://twitter.com/LaylaGrace and you can link to their blog from the right-hand side of the page.