Yesterday, someone posted a link to a news story about a little girl, Elena Desserich, who while dying of brain cancer took the time to write love letters and leave them hidden for her parents to find when she was gone. The story moved me to tears for a multitude of reasons. First of all, the tragedy of losing a child–a parent’s worst nightmare. I can’t think of anything worse to face in life. Then there’s the scary monster - Cancer. It’s frightening enough to think of battling cancer as an adult, let alone watching your child battle it. As a parent, what you want most is to protect your child from any and all harm, but how do you protect them from cancer? My heart and Love go out to all families who are forced to face the scary reality of such an illness. I have to say, what moved me most to tears about this story was Elena’s gentle, loving spirit. Think about how big this baby girl’s heart was–facing such a crippling illness and STILL be thinking about her Mommy and Daddy. Obviously, her loving Spirit lives on and continues to touch people’s lives.
It is my belief that children come to teach us more than we can ever teach them. They teach us about patience, humility, and unconditional Love. What unwaivering courage and selfless nature this little girl owned! It’s amazing how much these little souls can teach us if we take the time to listen and learn. Since her passing, Elena’s parents have turned Elena’s drawings and writings left behind into a book that tells her story. It is titled NOTES LEFT BEHIND. A portion of the book’s proceeds goes towards THE CURE STARTS NOW.
After reading this story, I couldn’t help but think of a piece written by artist, poet, and writer Khalil Gibran. It’s a beautiful reminder to parents that children are Souls sent here with a purpose and unique journey–all of which are their own and have nothing to do with us. As much as we like to take full credit and ownership over them they truly are, as Kahlil Gibran says, “Life’s longing for itself.” I believe Elena is proof of that.
Many blessings of Peace.Love.Joy.Abundance to the Desserich Family. I thank them for sharing their story with the public. Most of all, much Love to the precious little Soul and Teacher of Love - Elena. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
~Peace.Love.Joy.Abundance~
On Children
Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
