Little Anna

To Stay or Go

By D.T.

     There once was a little girl who loved everything about life.  She loved to hear the birds chattering in the trees and the feel of the wind blowing in her hair and touching her face.  All the things god had given her to see, feel, taste, and smell.  But the thing she loved the most was gods love for her.

     Then on a sunny, but cold and snowy day, Anna went sledding on the hills by her house.  Her dad had bundled her up wither her favorite snowman hat and mittens. She always laughed when she was running with her hat on because it made the snowman's eyes wiggle around.

     She ran to the top of the hill giggling with every step, just thinking about her snowman's eyes.  Then she carefully sat down on her sled and away she went, down the hill.

     What happened next brought tears and broken hearts to so many who knew Anna.  Hidden under the blanket of white snow, laid a large rock.  She hit a bump that threw her off the sled and her head hit the rock.  For days her mom and dad laid beside her in the small hospital bed, begging for her to open her eyes.  They were constantly kissing and hugging her and letting her know how much they loved her.  All the while, doctors were saying she would never be the same as she was before the accident.

     Anna's mom and dad knew that, but they also knew that Anna knew they were by her side and that they loved her very much.

     Everyone who knew the family, thought that Anna was a burden to her parents.  The doctors and the people who knew Anna thought that it would be best for everyone if her parents would remove the IV in her arm that was giving little Anna the nutrients she needed to stay alive.  Her parents said "No.  If the lord wants her, I can accept that, but then and only then can I let go of my beautiful little girl."

     See a lot of people didn't know that Anna had a choice because she couldn't tell them.  On that same night, Anna went to heaven and was asked if she wanted to stay there until her mom and dad came to be with her.  Or if she wanted to go back and be with them.  

     This is what Anna had to say:

"God, you are really nice and it is so pretty here, but for now I need to go back because I'm not done getting hugs and kisses.  And late at night, mom and dad climb in bed and snuggle with me.  We listen to our favorite songs while mommy sings to me.  So, god, don't let anyone take about my food and water.  Give me more time for more hugs and kisses.  When you need me in heave, mommy and daddy will understand.  Life is for the living and as I lay here, I breath in all the wonderful smells of my mommy and daddy.  I also feel their kisses and hear their prayers.  I am living.