I went to a funeral tonight.

Lying in the casket, wrapped in white, was Lydia. The little girl who was nearly smoked to death before she was even born. The little girl who could hardly move. The little girl who wasn't supposed to last 6 months. The little girl who fought to live every single day for nine years. The little girl whose soul is now happy and complete in the presence of her Savior.

At the news of her death Saturday, I didn't know what to feel. Typically, with news of death, we're supposed to feel sad, right? But when death means that the horrible struggle of pain and suffering that Lydia endured is over, and now she rests in the arms of the One who loves her more than anyone, it's almost happy. She's safe now, with no more tears, and no more pain.

But in life, she left an impact. Probably a bigger impact then a lot of people will leave. She was constantly touching the lives of the many people who walk through the doors of Gabriel House. She will be greatly missed by the staff of the house, and by her 29 siblings. Just because she's in a better place now doesn't mean tears weren't shed tonight.

Wynn and Linda are an amazing couple who come every Tuesday and Thursday to love on the kids. Lydia was Wynn's favorite. Every Tuesday and Thursday, for 4 years, Wynn has come to hold and feed Lydia. The first time I met Wynn was when he was holding Lydia. So when Wynn and Linda showed up this afternoon, I knew it was going to be emotional. I held it together great until Linda started telling me how devoted Wynn had been to Lydia, and how much he had loved the little girl who couldn't show him love in return. In the back round I heard Wynn telling Teddy and Antonio how Lydia is happy now. A few moments later, Teddy and Tonio came speeding up to us and Teddy said "Linda! Guess what! Lydia is happy and dancing with Jesus up there!" while Antonio mimed dancing with a huge smile on his face!

And then I lost it. Definitely not from grief, but from joy. Joy because she is with Jesus now, and joy because my boys know it, too.

So Lydia, don't rest in peace. Dance with joy. See you soon, sweetheart.