IN MEMORY OF CHARLOTTE SICKLES

Charlotte Sickles turned 3 on Feb. 11... and on Feb. 13,
      she died in a house fire, along with her father.
On Friday, Feb. 22, I officiated at her funeral service,
      where I met her mother, her grandmother, and her dad's parents.
 
The parlor was decorated with Charlotte's pictures and stuffed toys.
      Videos were playing and tears were flowing.
I was told that there would be a handful of Penney's friends speaking,
      and that I should not make my message "too religious."

Then, at 2 pm, it began and I took my place at the podium.
      We were gathered, I noted, to cry our tears (just as Jesus as cried over Lazarus),
      to celebrate a beautiful life that had blessed us with joy, to join hands and give
            support to one another, and to claim that Charlotte is in heaven.

We acknowledged that little girls aren't supposed to die.
      They're supposed to laugh, dream, grow-up, and fall in love.
We acknowledged that love demands tears and people cried.
      Penney cried, all of her chosen speakers cried, and others did too.

When I talked to Penney earlier, she told me to mention what a happy-go-lucky
      kid Charlotte was... and to make sure and say that she is in heaven!
I did these things to the best of my ability.
      I stressed the joy that Charlotte gave to so many and how she loved to play.

I stated unequivocally that little girls go to heaven! Joyful, beautiful, trusting,
      little kids- they go to heaven because Jesus invites them to come to Him.
After the service itself, we shared a meal together-
      all of us, everyone was invited, and I joined them for few moments.

I told Charlotte's grandparents that I was saddened to hear that their son had died,
      and Penney- who was always graceful- told me that my words were good.
Then, I left, praying that someone would spend the night with Penney,
      and praying also for broken-hearted parents and grandparents wherever they are.

I told them that they would see Charlotte again when "heaven's gate" opened for them,
      and I promised that I would mention the GoFundMe site that has been established,
            which I am doing now, hoping that some of you will give a gift of love.

May God be with Penney and with all the little children in the world. Amen.