Evelyn Miller
Evelyn Miller. Jetseta Gage. Lyric Cook. Elizabeth Collins. Saying thousands of names over the years reporting countless news stories, many leave my lips never to be remembered again. But names of innocent children, young girls, killed in evil acts–these are names I’ll never forget.
Jetseta Gage
I prayed for God to give me strength this week sharing the details as they unfolded in the case of the missing Evansdale cousins. Elizabeth’s mom, Heather, has been very open about her faith in Christ from the beginning. Sharing Bible verses on her Facebook page and talking about trusting God in this horrific situation. I so admire how she is able to illuminate grace and forgiveness in the face of adversity most of us will never experience.
Lyric Cook & Elizabeth Collins
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 54
This post was written by Tara on December 9, 2012
Tara, as you know I lost my only child, Brandon, a few yrs ago. The circumstances were different as he drowned in the Mississippi. When death involves a child it is SO tragic for the family that lost the child & for those of us who have already lost one. To know that they have to go through what you had to is so heartbreaking. You would do ANYTHING to prevent that from happening. Heather’s faith in God is amazing. Totally amazing. I SO admire her. This is so wrong tho. A parent should never have to bury a child. Not fair.
Tara, I went through losing a student(age nine) and grieving with the parents and comforting the other students. I was never taught in college how to help parents/students cope with death at such a young age. Sadness does not begin to describe the feeling that the parents, etc. experience. I will always be grateful to those who reached out to all of us.
Before I had children I was also so angry and found these actions so unimagineable. Now, having two young children of my own, having suffered two miscarriages (A different type of loss of a child, but a loss nonetheless). The story of the Evansdale Cousins is one that touches too close to home (Maybe also since we live in Evansdale). These girls have not just become local girls, but OUR girls. When they were found in the woods, I began weeping as if I had lost my own child, maybe it was the memory of that, but I can’t imagine the feelings their families are experiencing. But I find it hard to understand the strength that you mentioned HEather expresses on a daily basis. I also admire her, and she has completely reopened my eyes to the Lord and softened my heart to Faith. Now that’s a witness, a true one!
A few weeks ago I saw Heather collins and her two little girls at the Crossroads mall, and I wanted to go up to her and say God Bless you ! To give her a hug for going through each day, trying to put on a brave face and be normal for her little kids, when you know she is dying inside.
We can not imagine what she and Drew are going through. I commend them for having the faith and strength to live for their children and helping them get through this terrible situation that has touched all of us. I also understand them not wanting Elizabeth and Lyric to be forgotten. I would tell them that these two little girls will never be forgotten, EVER.
I watched KWWL for the live news conference on Wednesday. I can’t imagine how hard it was for you to report that news. I said a prayer for you too, I knew it must have been heartbreaking to have to go on LIVE after hearing that news.
Heather is an inspiration to us all. I pray for their family everyday and for those two beautiful girls that were taken too soon.