Week 1 - Yellow

On the evening of December 31, when everyone was out having a good time and celebrating the ending of a year and the beginning of a new one, a five-year-old child was fighting for her life. Elizabeth had cancer – but she was determined to win. She had recently been given the “all clear” from her doctors, but on the last day of 2010, something went wrong. Her sweet heart, so caring of others and bravely beating through the chemo, could not go on and a few hours before the chimes rang 12 times, she passed into the Light.

Her family is connected to me through my former church. Both her parents and grandparents volunteered in various aspects of the children’s ministries that I was an associate director of, and I saw Elizabeth’s bouncy little self every week in preschool. I remember her “command” of the toddler room very well as she both played with, and directed, the other children. Her face was always full of expression, from both joy to pouting, laughter and surprise.

Her funeral, while one of the most difficult I have ever attended, was truly a celebration of her life. Laughter through the tears was evident throughout the church as we watched her short life through pictures. Her joy in life was infectious and can best be described by her favorite color… yellow. Personally, I do not own anything yellow, as it is not a good color on me. However, the night before her funeral saw me frantically going from store to store searching for something yellow. If there was one day I vowed to wear yellow, it was to honor and remember a child’s life. And I was not the only one to wear yellow that day. The church was full of people wearing the bright cheery color and the stage was filled with hundreds of yellow balloons. It was a comfort to wear and see the fun color and know that she was happily sharing her joy even after death.   

After all of the sweet pictures that made us smile, beautiful words kindly spoken, music to soothe the soul, numerous hugs and many tears, it was time to let go. As hundreds of us stood around the tiny casket, we each took a balloon and together released them into the clear blue sky. They soared high and, upon catching the wind, dispersed into a cheery assortment of yellow dots bouncing their way into the heavens.

I will forever think differently about the color yellow. For it is strong, caring, can bring a smile to the grumpiest of people, full of laughter and brings so much joy to others. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your meaning of joy to us all...