This past weekend, the LHCC family celebrated two fifteenth birthdays. One was for Yair. The other was for Katherine. One was at Freedom Park; the other was at St Andrews UMC. For one, the fifteen-year-old was present. For the other, the 15-year-old was not. You see, the latter was a celebration of Katherine’s life, for a seven-year-old who left her family way too soon.
A Quinceañera is a traditional celebration of a girls fifteenth birthday, marking her passage from girlhood to womanhood. Today was really special, even though Katherine was not in person, she was certainly looking down from heaven and her presence felt by the family, friends and neighbors who gathered with the Augustin and Palma families, to celebrate her life. Many present never had the opportunity to meet sweet Katherine, who lost her life to gun violence. Dad, Amadeo and mom, Delmy were very grateful for the assembly and expression of love shown to the family. The eight little girls in white dresses with halos and candles represented the years since her passing.
One 15th birthday was celebrated on a beautiful fall day at Freedom Park enjoying the company of others in a multicultural outdoor setting. The second was memorable because it was special to everyone present in a sanctuary. For me it was a joy to see how the church community and LHCC family surround this precious family as they mourn her passing, but more importantly celebrate Katherine’s life. Their faith in God is inspiring despite their tremendous loss. A life of a sweet little girl gone too soon. Until we meet in heaven, and see her smiling face … and be in her presence.
