If I met Jesus in a park and he asked me … “Are you living by my Beatitudes?” I would say …

I walked across the horrors that my own kind has done to these innocent people with destruction and pain all around me. Flames reached the sky, seeming like it would burn for eternity. Numbness soon takes over my body, somehow feeling like nothing. The screams of children who yearn for their mother ring in my ears. Realization hit me,  just a few steps away was the lifeless body of someone I cared about. 

I wanted to cry. It felt hopeless not knowing if Aunt Miriam was dead too. Step by step I thought about Mutti and Papa and what would I do without Aunt Miriam. Buildings crashed into each other shaking the ground. Flames started to roar and expand even more. Pain, crying, horror all happening at once. I feel like I’m in hell. The sky burns a blood red. Destruction and death everywhere.

The city is quickly filled with smoke making it harder to see. My lungs start to burn. My tongue itches from the gritty ash. Slowly a shadow starts walking up to me calling my name. The face starts to become more recognizable. It is Aunt Miriam. I call out too, hoping she can see me. I wave my arms as hard as I can hoping she notices me. 

For Lent I have created a backpack to carry the things for my Lenten journey.

The rosary is for protection from evil and to pray for the poor and sick.

The Bible, to read, to stay religious and keep my faith in God.

A healthy lunch to remind me to look after myself and to share my food with others.

A water bottle to stay hydrated.

A Cross to keep myself safe from dangers.

A jar of money to donate to the marginalized.

My Lenten back pack will help me on my journey to stay on the right path.

Dear Diary,

I really hated walking that long. My feet were aching with rocks annoying the souls and toes of my feet. The screams of little children echoed in my head as they played over and over. I still hear now even though we stopped. It felt like it’s been forever now. I tasted burnt ash on my tongue even after it’s been washed with water. My legs began to give up on me from all the walking.

We finally found someplace to stay for the night. Families started to huddle for comfort and warmth. Other families mumbled, praying for themselves and others. I feel the warmth of my father’s body while he wraps me with his arms hugging me tightly.I feel safe in my father’s presence.

Kamusta. Good morning my name is Eldrich. I am twelve years old and my class is room 8 at St Patrick’s School in Panmure.  

I am terrific at math. I keep my friends entertained and amused at lunchtime. My goal for the year is to try to be the very best I can be. I love reading, drawing and writing blogs. Sometimes I find it difficult to stay awake at school because I can’t get to sleep easily at night time. Also, we get up very early in the morning because we live a long way from school.

 My parents inspire me to do as well as I can because they work very hard every day. I would like to be a doctor when I grow up. This year I want to be able to come to school everyday because I like being with my friends and I was staying home too often last year.

God is the trunk holding everything together.

Jesus is the leaves spreading the beauty of his his love.

The Holy Spirit is the oxygen coming from the leaves, breathing life into everyone and everything.