This past weekend my heart broke into a million pieces for a sweet, loving and caring young lady and her unborn son who died in a car wreck.
Nicole Blair Surles was the same age as my daughter Brooke and they attended school together at Madison Academy. Nicole and Brooke were best of friends and spent many nights at each other's houses. Nicole was always such a sweet, caring, gentle child and grew into a beautiful young lady whose gentle, loving spirit could outshine the sun. She was a loving daughter, a devoted wife, a tremendous mother to three daughters and was anxiously expecting the birth of her son, in four short weeks.
Nicole was a devout Christian and His light could be seen shining through her each and every day. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone she came in contact with. Her Facebook page was filled with either pictures of her family, Biblical quotes or uplifting quotes about helping others. She had a heart that was full of love for the Lord, her family and her friends. To know Nicole was to love her.
There are things that happen in life, sometimes, that make us ask, "Why?"
"Why did such an amazing 25-year-old and her son have to be taken so soon?"
In times like these, I often think about a book I read about 30 years ago. Within the story, there was a lady who had a child that died.
The lady began questioning the Lord on His reasoning behind her child dying. Her attitude changed towards God and she began to be angry and resentful.
She began to turn her back on the Lord.
One night she had a dream. She dreamed she was standing with the Lord talking. She asked Him, "Lord, why did you let my baby die?"
The Lord answered her by saying, "Heaven, like earth, needs children too."
That story and that thought process has meant a lot to me through the years. We do not have Nicole with us anymore to talk to, share with or laugh with. We do not have Sawyer to hold or to watch grow up. Nicole's family no longer has the two of them to spend time with, but God has them with Him – and "Heaven, like earth, needs children too."
There is a poem entitled "The Dash" written by Linda Ellis.
It refers to the dates on your tombstone; your birth year, the dash and your death year.
The point of the poem is that the dash represents our life. It represents all the time that we are alive on this earth and how we live our life. It represents our words, and our love and affection. Or, it can represent the lack and absence of it all. When we are dead and gone, what people will remember about us the most is our "dash" and how we lived it.
Nicole Grace Blair Surles
1995 - 2021
Nicole's "dash" is incredible. Her death, along with her son's, has had such an impact on not only Madison County, but for all that knew her in surrounding counties, as well. Very rarely do you find a 25-year-old that impacts so many people of all ages.
She spent her days doing for others and caring for everyone around her. She found the good in everyone and taught others to do the same. She gave love and friendship generously and unselfishly. She was indeed a shining light to all that knew her.
To read the "good-bye" comments from Nicole's friends on her Facebook page brings tears of sadness, but also a smile … because it shows how deeply Nicole was loved by everyone that knew her.
Nicole made a difference in this world! Her dash is one that her family can be proud of! Her dash should be a role model for us all.
Go rest high on that mountain, Nicole. Your work on earth is done. You and Sawyer can walk the streets of gold together, hand in hand.