Noah and Arielle

Today is the feast for two saints, Sts Basil and Gregory.  These two men were very close friends throughout their lives.  The lived parallel lives...from monastic traditions and becoming bishops within the same area.  The two men also fought the Arian heresy with great vigor.  Although these two saints lived apart from each other, they remained friends through correspondence.

When I think of these two saints and their close bond as friends, I cannot help but think of Noah.  And more rightly so his twin sister, Arielle, who survived the attack on Sandy Hook.  To lose a child or a sibling would be so hard to understand but to lose a twin must be like losing an arm.  How do you forget that you are a twin?  It is impossible to lose that part of your identity.  And yet, Arielle will have to do this for the rest of her life!  I have been thinking about Arielle since this tragedy took place.  Also, their older sibling, Sophia, was only a little older than the twins...the mother described these children as inseparable as a camera tripod...always together!  I pray that these sisters will find a way to move forward together.


Noah was the youngest of those lost on December 14th...his sister only surviving because she was hidden in a closet.  The family spoke of Noah's 'big heart' for life and love for everyone.  He brightened the room with his big smile and 'twinkly blue eyes.'  He wanted to be a soldier, a doctor and a manager of a taco factory....I love it...no question about his interests!

Noah also loved to learn new things and how things worked.  He loved rainbows, which now brings comfort to his family as they think about the meaning of this symbol of hope.

Although this family was of Jewish tradition, I am sure they would appreciate that today is the NINTH day of Christmas...nine ladies dancing represents the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control (Galatians 5:22...some say there are 12 fruits).  Although this is not found directly in the Old Testament, the Spirit was obviously moving through the lives and actions of those of the Jewish people presented in the Old Testament.

Noah's quilt is filled with his various interests surrounding a big heart.  As we read more and more of his family's memories, this quilt changes to show the wonderful life of this precious boy.

We are enjoying this time with family and friends...may you be blessed as we go head first into this new year of 2013!