Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Today came some very bad news for some friends.

I have been friends with the male half of this couple since I was a teenager. We grew up together, shared hopes and dreams. We even went to a high school formal together.

His wedding was one of the first we went to, we've travelled together, eaten together and they were around during the first few months of our son's life.

It seems like just yesterday when they announced they were expecting their first child - so pleased were they with their news. Like us, they had very few problems falling pregnant and the pregnancy seemed to go along with few complications.

Just last week she vented to friends the horror that is a trip to Ikea when in the last trimester of pregnancy (or ever - if we're being truthful). The baby shower was planned, the new house finished so finally space away from the in-laws.

Just when it seemed that everything was on track - things started to fall apart.

Today, news that their unborn child has an aggressive brain tumour with a poor prognosis turned joy to heartbreak.

To hear that heartbreak from my friend, his hopes and dreams for his first son brought me to tears.

As I sit here cradling my 20 week belly tears running down my face I am grateful for my health and that of my unborn son.

I feel emotion so strong for a loss I can't bare to understand.

I feel the grief and pain that no parent should suffer.

I hope that my own growing foetus does not bring more pain to my friends to grieve for what could have been, but never was.

Soon I will be angry - for those parents who abuse their children, who neglect them, who seem to not appreciate the good they have.

But for now I grieve for my friends, and pray that they find the strength from each other, from family and from friends to get through this together.