Friends Forever

This is the second in the series.

On the back of the print by

Artist Elsie Beiler.

As we visit our neighbors in the months following the tragedy at the West Nickel Mines Amish School, I heard many stories of that sad day in October 2006. Stories of the courage of the " teacher " and the sons and daughters in the face of death. Stories of suffering, of prayer and faith. Of Compassion and Angels, of miracles and healing. And always stories of friends, looking out for friends.

I heard about the closeness of sisters, there for each other in the way sisters are; an older girl, always watching over a younger one, the two becoming close friends. About daughters ever ready to help their Mother, forging one of the deepest friendships we can know.

I was touched to noticed the bonds between Officers and children, Doctors and their patients; families and neighbors, fathers and mothers. As time went on, it became clear that this painting would be about the bond of friendship that has been formed among people who have been hurt so deeply, but who are free to LOVE because of their choise to Forgive. 

I pray that, even in our times of great pain, we will have courage, like our friends in Nickel Mines, to keep our hearts open, and reach out to people around us in FORGIVENESS, LOVE and FRIENDSHIP