Griffin Speaks

THE ANGEL THAT SAID HELLO

I was standing at my secretary, Delois Smith’s desk when she handed me the obituary of Traci Dene’ Steele. I was very sad when I heard that Traci; an eight-year-old girl struck by lightning as she held her mother’s hand had passed. I was devastated when I looked at her picture in the obituary and recognized her.

Traci was a third grade honor roll student at Bear Elementary Magnet Program. My daughter, Alexis was also a student in the same third grade at Bear. Alexis knew Traci and spoke very highly of her. I remember Traci because she would often speak to me when she passed me in the halls at Bear. She would say “Hello Mr. Griffin.” I was always impressed with the politeness of this child. There was something very special about her.

Traci’s obituary revealed that she was a little piano player taking lessons under the direction of Ercile Jelks. She took Taekwondo classes at Chris Jackson Taekwondo. She was also a second level swimmer at the YMCA.

My heart goes out to Traci’s devoted parents, Dave and Cherly Steele of Montgomery, Alabama, two sisters Tenisha and Theresa Steele and two brothers Dave and Jonathan Steele of Montgomery, Alabama. Her loving grandparents, Eunice Steele and Helen Willis, and great grandparents Frank and Annie Powell also survive Traci.

Delois a minister’s wife, and I was trying to make sense of this tragedy. I asked Delois if the parents had other children and she told me that they did; however, this was their second child to pass. It shook my faith! How could God be so cruel?

A few months ago I wrote an article titled “WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?” In that article I shared with my readers the tragic story of a wonderful 22-year-old Financial Sales Representative at Compass Bank, named Stacy Williams. She was killed on highway 82 outside Eufaula, Alabama. Stacy had gone home to attend a birthday celebration for her mom. The accident occurred as she was returning home.

Again I had to ask God why he allows terrible things to happen to good people. This is an age-old question. We all pick up the newspaper and read the horrific stories of young people being tragically killed in accidents on their way to their wedding or returning home from the prom.

Again I went to my Bible and read the Book of Job. In the midst of prolong suffering Job refused to curse God. I have found comfort in a passage from (Isaiah 55:8-9NIV): FOR MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS, NEITHER ARE YOUR WAYS,” declares the LORD. “AS THE HEAVENS ARE HIGHER THAN THE EARTH, SO ARE MY WAYS AND THOUGHTS THAN YOUR THOUGHTS.”

I believe that Traci was an Angel sent by God! Traci you never said more to me than “Hello Mr. Griffin” in the hall at Bear, but you will always be remembered by me as the Angel that said, “HELLO MR. GRIFFIN!”

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by logging on to www.greggriffin.com (GRIFFIN SPEAKS)