The uncle spoke about the time his work as a migrant farm worker kept him from buying Pampers for his baby. His nephew asked the uncle if he could take him to Wal-Mart to buy "something." The uncle said, "You can't buy Pampers for us!" The boy, about twelve years old said, "No Tio! I need to buy something at the store, please take me." The uncle complied and watched as his nephew bought the disposable diapers for his cousin.
Today, our oldest daughter buried one of her students, Jose E. Garcia. A seventh grader at Ann Richards Middle School, active on the football team, and always one ready to help his teacher and classmates, Jose died when fishing with his next-door neighbors in a canal near Mile 7 outside of La Joya, Texas. Jose slipped in and because he suffered from asthma those who dove in to try and save him say he may have suffered an attack that prevented his being saved. His body went under the water and it took police divers a while to find his body.
Jose's father was in Indiana working as a migrant worker and the La Joya school district paid for his bus ticket to return home to bury his son. One of the La Joya funeral homes donated the plot, the coffin, and the service. Our daughter's mother-in-law made a special white cloth with a dove that all his classmates signed. Two hundred red balloons lined the walk from the street into the church. As Jose's coffin passed the balloons were released, filling the sky with a display of love and sorrow. The football team came and sobbed openly at this unexpected death of a teammate.
The entire school district is taking this death very hard. Our daughter, Nellie and her class are suffering too. The visit of death is never easy and requires our prayers for God's comfort and peace to be with each who are hurting and mourning today. Jose's mother had been sedated for the burial and the white cloth when removed from the coffin and placed in her care became a baby she rocked and rocked. May God bring her comfort is my prayer.
PRAYER: Loving God of all life, we acknowledge our grief when someone dies. Though we did not know Jose Garcia personally we know that he touched lives during his short life. We cannot understand why this tragic accident robbed a family and a school from such a nice and thoughtful, loving boy, but we trust You to receive him and grand him eternal life through Christ Jesus in whom Jose believed. Comfort his mother and father. You know they're hurting not only emotionally but financially. Bless them with comfort and with the resources they need not only during this tough time, but at all times. Help those reading this, dear God with whatever they face. In You we place our hope and faith. We pray that this week may see us living the way of love. Your love as shared with us and as we share it with others. We pray this in Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
e.v.
