With so many of us struggling with our teens I thought I'd post about what has happened in my little town this week.
Last week a beautiful, talented, much loved, teenager died in a car accident in my town.
For the past week the teens have supported his devastated family in a way which has been moving and amazing. From the roadside vigil which his friends have kept every night,the facebook wall tributes which started with shock and grief and then moved to humorous and loving memories which his parents have said help them so much, to the pizzas and hair gel at the roadside....
His childhood friends carried his coffin today. The church was so full that they have to open the doors and sit on the floor, and every teen wore a football shirt as he was a promising footballer. The teens have organised the charity match that will take place tomorrow and the proceeds to his family.The teens have supported his family in every way they possibly can. Many, including my own girls who were his close friends, visited him to say goodbye. They have faced his death and the reality of it with quiet dignity and love.
Our young people gets so much bad press, just for being young, and yet this week where I live, they have shown the adults how to behave, how to show they care with dignity, maturity and love. They have all lost their childhood this week:(
Very proud of every one of them, so desperately sad for his family and for the young driver responsible.
Hug your teens tonight...