Everyone grieves in different ways. I’ve always best processed my feelings through writing. While there are absolutely no words that can fix a situation as tragic as this, in writing this post I am choosing to try and find joy and celebrate the beautiful, impactful life that Claire lived.
To know Claire Largin was to love her. We are all better for having known her. As everyone has been reflecting and celebrating Claire, there has been a common theme. Everyone makes note about the beautiful smile that was always on her face. About her laughter that never ceased— and the laughter she continuously brought to others. About her joy from the Lord and the way she truly did shine His light so well. About her kindness and the way she treated everyone with so much love. About her authenticity and the way she was always and completely 100% herself. About her boldness in her faith and confidence in who she was in Christ. About how genuine she was to everyone she met. About the true light that she was in so many people’s lives. I could go on and on. This girl was beyond special.
This loss has rocked our community and left so many of us wondering why. How could someone so amazing and so full of love and light be taken from us so soon? In a broken world that doesn’t seem fair, I’m continuing to cling to the promises of the Lord. That He is good, even when circumstances are not. That He is going to use this to continue to show more of Himself and His character to others through the beautiful life Claire lived. That the comfort and peace He can provide in times of need like this are beyond our understanding. That Claire is face to face with our sweet Jesus right now, rejoicing in paradise. That she’s looking down on all of us as our guardian angel + making Jesus deep belly laugh while doing so.
There have been a couple things that have given me lots of comfort and peace through this time. Psalm 23 in particular has been so comforting to me— “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”. This valley is dark. But Jesus is here. He’s walking alongside each and every one who has been impacted and hurting from this loss. We don’t have to face this alone. At the end of the Psalm it states, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. Sweet Claire is dwelling in the house of the Lord as we speak— there’s a hope and a comfort in that which I can’t even begin to put into words.
I also continue to listen to the song “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe. The lyrics state,
“Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine”
This song has given me so much joy imagining our precious Claire in the presence of Jesus. Rejoicing with Him. Embraced and held by Him. I can only imagine.
The night of Claire’s passing I found myself looking at a Snapchat group message that some of us had with her. While I had never realized it before, I don’t believe this was a coincidence. Her bitmoji is an angel. Claire is our angel, and it’s little God winks like this that continue to bring unexplainable peace and hope in such a tragic time.
The world doesn’t feel quite as bright without Claire in it. All in all, I’m going to choose to live my life in a way that honors Claire. To shine Christ’s light like she did so well. To choose joy in the midst of trials like she did. To love others big and hard like she did. To turn my eyes upon Jesus like she did. To be goofy and laugh like she did. To be completely myself without wondering what others would think like she did. To always treat others with kindness like she did. This girl has forever left a mark on my heart and so many others.
I ask that anyone reading this would continue to join me in prayer for all who loved Claire. For her family, her boyfriend + love of her life Cortez, her friends, and truly anyone who has ever met her. She was the kind of girl that impacted you even after just meeting her once.
We will love and miss you forever Claire. You’re forever in our hearts. We will see you again one day.
