An Update on An Unspeakable Sadness

So many of you have been immensely kind in your responses to Adela, whose 12 year old sister hung herself and who was herself in the hospital on suicide watch. (An Unspeakable Sadness)

This morning, our first day back from Thanksgiving break, Adela was waiting for me again at my door. I greeted her with the biggest smile I have and even as I was telling her how much we missed her, she went right to the folders to pass them out. She remarked about how the date hadn't been changed on the board since the last time she changed it.

After she finished, she came to me and asked, "Can I talk to you privately?" I took her right outside my door into the hall.

"My sister killed herself and she's gone now, "she said in one breath.

I could hardly control my voice as I gushed out my condolences and my gratitude that she was back with us.

As I ended, she flung her arms around me and squeezed me as tightly as I've ever been squeezed. I already had tears forming and they ran down my face now.

She sighed as she released me and said, "She's in a better place. And I'm going to good places in my life."

"Oh, honey, you truly are. There is so much good waiting for you out there. I can't wait to see all the things you are going to accomplish in your life."

A turtleneck wrapped around her neck to hide any marks that might remain. The students welcomed her back with various greetings. I am so proud of how they accept her just as she is and was relieved to see how eager she seemed to be to get back into the routine of things.

We will have a meeting with the counselor and social workers this afternoon on her status. But for now, it's good to see her back in her spot.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes for her. She still has much to deal with, but I pray she catches some good breaks in her life now.