At my first visit with Israel after Christmas, I learned that his teacher had organized a Sub For Santa type of project for Israel’s family. Israel was very excited about his new basketball and that he no longer had to wear the same sweatshirt to school every day. I was delighted to see the big smile on Israel’s face as he talked about the gifts of love that had been given to his family.
After Israel told me about his Christmas, he asked me some deep questions. He was concerned about whether death was scary and whether God was real. Since we were in a public school setting, I did not know at first what would be appropriate for me to say. I finally had the thought to ask him if his family went to church, and Israel said his family was Catholic. I asked if they believed in Jesus, and he confirmed that they did. Then I told Israel that death is not scary because we get to be with Jesus up in heaven, and He loves us so much that it will be wonderful to be with Him. We felt the warmth of Jesus’ love for us as we talked about these questions for about half an hour, and then it was time for me to leave.
As I walked back to campus, I realized my visits with Israel were the highlight of my week, so I decided to tell him the next time we met together. Israel was proud of the fact that he was the first kid I had ever mentored, and I could not help but love my angelic boy. Each time I walked back to campus from his school, I found myself thinking of ways I could keep mentoring him after that year so I could encourage him to continue working hard at school. I hoped he would go to college and build a happy life for himself. I had big dreams for my little friend.
On the next Monday, I walked to the school as usual and signed in at the office. I had arrived a little early, so I leaned into the classroom to tell Israel’s teacher that I would wait in the hall until he came in from recess. She looked at me with a strange expression on her face, and then she said Israel had been killed in a car wreck the past weekend. I was shocked and heartbroken. I cried all the way back to campus and often during the next week.
At the time, I could only see how sad it was for Israel to die so young. I still cry when I think about him, especially when I think of how much his mother must miss him. But as I look back on the experience, I realize the Lord knew Israel was coming to the end of his time in this life. God did not want this sweet boy to be sad or scared, so He inspired Israel’s teacher to make his last Christmas a wonderful time for his family, and He inspired me with the right words to help Israel feel peace about death instead of fear. Then He called His boy home. It was all part of His plan.
Jesus taught, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). I feel the time I spent with Israel was a little taste of heaven, and I know that Israel really is happy with Jesus now. A favorite hymn states, “The errand of angels is given to women; and this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim” (As Sisters in Zion, LDS Hymnbook, 309). I believe the Lord sends angels from both sides of the veil to help children. How grateful I am that the Lord chose to place a young and inexperienced college sophomore into that boy’s life, and that He gave me wisdom beyond my own to act as an angel in preparing Israel for the next step in his journey.
