Shelly was a tall, slender elegantly dressed professional. Her rich brown hair flowed softly over her shoulders, and framed her lovely amber eyes. She was always meticulously dressed and loved people, like a movie star loves fame. She went out of her way to help all those who came into her life and spent the extra time needed to assist wherever she could.
She was married to a wonderful man she had met in college by the name of James Ferguson. He was quiet, gentle and devoted to his wife. He was always bringing her small gifts to let her know he was thinking of her: a rose, a small piece of jewelry, or even a note of poetry telling her of his love and the gratefulness he felt that she was in his life.
Jim was what a man could be and should be. Sean, Ann’s late ex-husband, was what a man should never be but often was, to one degree or another.
The Fergusons had been married for nine years. Not long into their marriage they discovered they couldn’t have children. Their hearts were broken at first, but then they threw themselves into working with other people’s children. Jim was in charge of the youth group at the Lakeside Presbyterian Church. He loved taking them on excursions and field trips as often as he could. He spent hours teaching, loving and entertaining them. In addition, the Fergusons spent several nights a week at the local youth center, volunteering their time as mentors to help the children learn to read, improve their math, or just help anyway they could.
Shelly and Jim opened their hearts to love the children God brought into their lives, but in truth, they ached for children of their own. A child to trip over, mend when ill, and watch grow into adulthood, a child that was theirs forever.
That is why both Shelly and Jim had opened that very special place in their hearts for Ann’s children, a place reserved for a daughter and son. It was easy to come alongside the single mother and help raise her children. They had wonderful memories of playing, watching and providing for the two little ones. Now the emptiness in their hearts grew deeper and wider with the loss of Matthew.
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