2010-2019
Anna, The Belle.
Always took negatives and turned them into positives. She was a spitfire.
Happy, but feisty. Goofy. Silly Class Clown – with some potty humor thrown in.
Karen and Darrel received tremendous help and support from the Aicardi Group to which they belonged. The Aicardi group formed to help the family and loved ones of young patients who are affected by the rare syndrome with which Annabelle was born, a genetic disorder that affects the brain, spinal cord and immune system.
Anna was the first to wipe your tears. She was sensitive to the pain of others, yet oblivious to the potential for danger that some situations contained. She clued in – in an extraordinary way – to non-verbal and emotional clues. Delilah was a special friend.
Annabelle loved school, whether she was at the Macquan school or this last year at Duval. Gym was her favorite subject, but she loved her bus ride.
For all that the fun and love that Anna shared with Olivia, Logan was more her partner in crime – “let’s hide and scare Dad” was a favorite game for them, although maybe less of a favorite for Darrell.
Annabelle demonstrated unconditional love.
Not that there weren’t challenges in loving her, but even those challenges became part of The Belle, another side of the daughter Karen and Darrell loved. You never knew what would be flushed down the toilet.
You might have assumed that Annabelle changed Karen and Darrell’s life, but as I spoke with them, I realized that she was an unlikely angel. Unlikely because she could try their patience, but an angel in that she taught them to not place value in temporary things – like sunglasses and earbuds. From Annabelle they learned empathy, patience, sacrifice and an openness to the differences in people we all see in the course of our daily lives.
Anna
responded to challenges. Karen & Darrell refused to assume that
Anna would not be able to do certain things. She was labeled
‘Non-verbal” but she wasn’t. She wasn’t supposed to be able to
climb stairs. She did.
When Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me,” He said more than you might know. Those of us who grew up hearing, “Children should be seen and not heard,” don’t know the half of it.
First, he said that every child should be valued. Children have a real spiritual life. It’s not that suddenly, at becoming a teenager or a full-fledged adult, that human beings start asking about topics like:
- Acceptance – “If you knew all about me, would you still like me?” “Can I trust you with the real me?” “What is the real me?” Jesus offers unconditional love.
- Purpose: “Why am I here?” “What should I do with my life?” Jesus says, “Join my journey to rescue the world.” And
- Death – “What happens when we die?” “Is there life after death?” Jesus says, “Whosoever believes in me shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Part of the valuing the children that Jesus is telling us to do is to engage the young people we have in our lives, and not just relegate them to be entertained by screen time. But there is a special way in which children, like Annabelle, who are differently-abled, are especially more likely to be marginalized by those of us who claim to be adults. Those who knew Annabelle know she would not stand for being marginalized. She knew when you were doing it, too. Value the children. Engage them.
The 2nd truth to be found in Jesus’ words here are found in the phrase “For to such belong the Kingdom of heaven.” There are truths about children that we who are older should learn, from them. Jesus warns us: unless we turn and become like little children, we shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Those of us who aren’t so much going gray as chrome – cherish that special little moment when you put your hand out to a child and they take it, no questions asked. That interaction with youthful innocence is a treasure!
In the same way, when we’ve taken the leap of faith and discovered that God is utterly trustworthy – so that we can obey His commands and know that they lead to His best for us – we don’t have to try (in vain) to protect ourselves. In the shelter of our Heavenly Father’s love, we can learn open trust like little children have.
Of all the lessons for us today in “Let the Little Children come to me,” the 3rd is hardest: Now we have to let this little child – Annabelle – go to Jesus. We’ll never forget her, but we will have to move forward, equipped with the impact on us that she made.
We have to let her go, but we can take comfort that she is going to Jesus. Jesus never saw Annabelle as less than fully human. Jesus gave Annabelle, with her irrepressible cheer, as a light to brighten our days. Now she has a place where, as St. John wrote, every tear is wiped away and there is no more darkness, or sorrow, grieving or pain.
The Lord offers the same to us. Human nature has a bent part to it. We think we can acquire what is valuable by grasping. We think things will make us happy. We seek control but love only comes when we become vulnerable.
Into this world, filled with broken human beings, came Jesus of Nazareth who served the poor, fed the hungry, healed the sick and comforted those who grieved. He dared to contradict those who abused their power, and gave His life freely so we could be set free from death.
We can all identify readily with Annabelle, because we all know our own vulnerabilities. Anna’s were just a little more visible. So I add one more Jesus saying: “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
In a few moments, we will sing, at Karen and Darrell’s request, “My Chains are Gone,” the newer version of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace.” This has special meaning today, because Annabelle’s chain are gone. For all of her unsinkable positive attitude, Annabelle lived with chains. But no longer. In heaven and in the presence of her Savior and Heavenly Father, Anna runs. She jumps and does cartwheels.
I invite you to leave your chains behind. Let go of the false narratives that would hold you back. You are loved. You are made for a purpose. You were made for eternity.
Friends and family of Annabelle Earl: let her best characteristics live long in your lives, and may God’s strength and grace be your help, and your comfort in times of sadness, now and forever. Amen.