Halfway to forever by Karen Kingsbury

While she was in Hannah's as, Jenny snuggled her face
against Grace's and kissed her cheek. The words she whispered
were for Grace's ears alone, but Hannah heard them. "I never had
a little sister before. And you'll always be mine."
Huge tears swam in Grace's eyes again and she whispered in
a choked voice, "Me, too."
Finally, Patsy came forward. "Thank you." She put her arms
around the group of them. "I'll always be grateful for everything
you've done for Grace. And like I said, I'll pray that God fills your
home quickly"
Hannah and Matt and Jenny clung to each other as Patsy took
Grace and walked her to the car where Mrs. Parsons was waiting.
They said one last good-bye while Grace sobbed, begging them to
come. The three of them stood there, linked together long after
the car had driven out of sight.
The pain was crippling, and Hannah could tell from the
steady flow of tears that it was the same for Matt and Jenny For a
long while none of them spoke; then in a voice quiet and strong,
despite his wet face and the depth of sadness in his eyes, Matt
began to sing.
`Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so...."
Hannah closed her eyes and let the words wash over her.
Grace's favorite song... the one Hannah had taught her on their
walks along the beach. The one Matt had hummed along with her
when they cuddled at night.
Despite the vast desert of hurt in her heart, Hannah couldn't
help but feel comforted by the very real presence of God; she felt
it hovering over them as they stood together there in the driveway
And before Hannah could find the strength to sing, the Lord gave
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her one more reason to believe they'd survive. Jenny was singing, too.
Her voice joined Matt's as the quiet song built among them. When they reached the part about God being
strong even when children were small and weak, Hannah's throat grew thick. It was true, and Hannah
pulled in tighter to the two people she loved most in life. If it was true when times were good, when life
was easy and unfettered, it was true now when the darkness seemed blacker than night. Hannah opened
her mouth and somehow,
despite the emotions lodged in her throat, the words began to flow, the sound of her voice mixing with the
others.
Yes, Jesus loved them. He loved them and He loved Grace. If the Bible told them anything, it told them
that. Hannah could feel herself growing stronger as the song continued. "Yes, Jesus loves me... Yes, Jesus
loves me... Yes, Jesus loves me...the Bible tells me so."
When they were finished singing, Matt prayed. "Lord, only You could fathom the ache in our hcarts this
morning, the greatness of loss over saying good-bye..." His voice cracked and again they pulled closer to
each other. "Saying good-bye to Grace. But Lord, give us open hearts and open minds. Though we cannot
imagine a different little girl in our lives, if there be one out there who needs us, bring her our way.
Please, Lord." He hesitated then, and Hannah knew he was trying to compose himself. "And please take
good care of our little Gracie."