Max and Shobha Michaels. Mathai’s cousin “Binu, I spoke with Joyce uncle and Molly aunty. I am EXTREMELY sorry to hear about Laine. Unbelievable. Upsetting. I can’t even imagine the sense of loss, the grief and the toll this must be taking on you, Mathew and Anna.  The heartbreaking news hit me like thunder. I felt I lost someone dear, an angel cherished…more so after your X’Mas card with her smiling pictures. I haven’t cried in a long time.  Yet, Laine’s unexpected loss and the unfairness of it all touched me too deep. Shobha, Tess and Lisa join me in our prayers for her soul and for strength for the family. Shobha and I have made arrangements to join the family in the prayers on Saturday. Please let us know the schedule when available.”

Achen, Perth, Mathai’s uncle.  “Loving Binu, Anna and Mathew –  I thought it was appropriate to send you a letter at this time of sorrow. I am sure you have received lots of letters of consolation. Please add mine to that group. A gardener does not feel very much when he plucks a rose from his garden. He may not consider what the branches feel, what the leaves are saying, may not even check whether the roots are hurt. The gardener has only one thing in his mind; he knows pretty well where that rose is going to be. Trust the analogy is very obvious. As I told Joycechayan, I would very much like to be there to hold your hands and cry and say prayer with you all. At this time, I believe that we are connected together as a family in spirit. In that spiritual connection, I can visualize the presence of Mia and Laine.  May be they are telling us, don’t cry for us. They are also telling us and reminding us that many wonderful experiences are waiting for them. The sum total of human life is wonderful and beautiful. The earthly experience is only 1 or 2 % of that sum total experience! Yes, the best things for Mia and Laine are yet to come. Let us celebrate that fact. I will be saying special prayers. I am sure that the gardener will come back to wipe our tears. May all the functions over there be blessed.  With love and prayers”

Sanjay and Reeba Alexander, Cousin NJ “When we saw Laine in November it was such a joy to be in her presence, it isn’t an exaggeration to say she was the center of our attention. The brief time we spent with her was and still is very precious to us.   Laine wrote a card for us and at the time we thought it was very cute. Now that card has taken on a much bigger significance, it is a memory we will always cherish of her.  After we spoke to Uncle, Reeba asked me why would God take away an innocent child. She also said when something like this happens, our faith is shaken. This is a question I too have been struggling with over the last 2 weeks.  At last Sunday’s service I specifically asked for prayers for your family and Rev Jacob David was kind enough to pray for every one of you. At today’s service one of the Hymn’s we sang was “My Faith Looks Up To Thee”. I was profoundly moved by the words and I have to admit I was thinking of Laine the whole time. The other person I have been thinking about is Matthew, and how he is dealing with the loss of Laine. I just wanted to say a few words to Matthew.  Matthew – I can not imagine how difficult it must be for you not having Laine by you. You must have a  million questions. The truth is even we as adults do not know or understand the mysterious ways in which God works. We do have some assurance from Jesus that he will welcome Laine in heaven. Just before Jesus is crucified he spoke to his disciples who were undoubtedly bewildered, perplexed, confused, and filled with anxiety. Jesus reassures his disciples in John 14:1-4 : “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe  in God;  believe also in me.  2  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there  to prepare a place for you?  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back  and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  4  You know the way to the place where I am going.”  Martin Luther called this passage “the best and most comforting sermon that the Lord Christ delivered on earth, a treasure and a jewel not to be purchased with the world’s goods.” These verses become the foundation for comfort, not only for the disciples but also for us.  May the Lord Bless you and make his countenance shine upon you and may he be your constant guide in your life.”

Mylene Tang, Komo. Found a statement from a grieving parent: “ Please don’t tell me you know how I feel, Unless you have lost your child too, Please don’t tell me my broken heart will heal, Because that is just not true, Please don’t tell me my child is in a better place, Though it is true, I want my child here with me, Don’t tell me someday I’ll hear his voice, see his face, Beyond today I cannot see, Don?t tell me it is time to move on, Because I cannot, Don’t tell me to face the fact he is gone, Because denial is something I can’t stop, Don’t tell me to be thankful for the time I had, Because I wanted more, Don’t tell me when I am my old self you will be glad, I’ll never be as I was before, What you can tell me is you will be here for me, That you will listen when I talk of my child, You can share with me my precious memories, You can even cry with me for a while, And please don’t hesitate to say his name, Because it is something I long to hear everyday, Friend please realize that I can never be the same, But if you stand by me, you may like the new person I become someday.”