Friday, March 18, 2016

A letter to Victor

On Wednesday, March 9, we found out that Victor, one of our long-time English students, died unexpectedly.

Here is a letter that Rachel wrote him in an effort to process the loss of his death.


18 March 2016

Dear Victor,
It grieves me so much to be writing you this letter.  I never imagined that I would have to say goodbye to you in this way.

You were a healthy boy--what could cause you to die so quickly?

Did you experience any pain in your death?  I hope not.

I want you to know that 13 year-old boys aren't supposed to die.  It is not the way things should be!

Jesus wept for Lazarus when he died and I want you to know that we weep for you.  You are worth crying over!  Even though you weren't such a good student, you were a son of God--you were valued and loved by Him.  I hope you knew that through the time that you spent at RHS.  We, the staff of the school, loved you very well.  Sometimes we didn't find it easy to love you, but we still tried very hard to love as Christ would have us to love.

You should have been able to live into adulthood, to study further, to have your own family, but that wasn't meant to be.  So the only thing that I can do is say that it is not the way things should be.  We wait with your family for the Second Order of things; we wait for the time of no more tears, no more sadness--that is the hope that we cling to!

As we say goodbye to you, we release you back to God.  You were always His and so we give you to Him with great difficulty and pain in our hearts.

Much love,
Rachel

1 comment:

  1. What a painful and beautiful letter to write. Thanks for putting this to words. We grieve with you and for Victor and reminded that Jesus has the victory over death! We especially remember that now. Love from Vermont.

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