A Break for Mourning

I apologize for my abscense. I had to take a break in order to mourn.  The break began as studying for finals but three deaths filled that space.  Followed by four more.  Followed by three more.  I'm hesitant in coming out of mourning because each time I did, more death followed.  That averages to be 1 death every 3 days for the past month.  For the most part, I'm emotionally drained, and I have two sick relatives - my grandfather and my father-in-law - who aren't doing well.

Just to share so you know what types of death we've dealt with this past month ...

1 murder (adult)
2 strokes (adults in their 70's)
1 cancer (13 years old)
2 car wrecks (adult & 17 year old - two separate wrecks)
2 congenital diseases - one expected, one unexpected and sudden (14 and 6 years old respectively)
1 "old age"
1 unknown/unexpected - literally died talking in her chair (an autopsy is being performed to confirm if medical condition or prescription med clash - older adult)

If anything, it brings to the forefront to live each day as if it's your last.  We never know when our last tomorrow will be.

Prayers for a Dead Child
O Lord who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham's bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell: receive in peace the soul of Your little servants B., M., K., & U., for You Yourself have said, "Let the little children come to Me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven." Amen.

General Prayers for the Dead
Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servants J., L., U., B., R., G.,  who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins they have committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin.

For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servants J., L., U., B., R., G.,  departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.