Hannah Helps

11-13-2024

The Life of Hannah Glass

By her father

Where do we even begin? How do I tell the story or explain things, of which, I, myself, have few answers? I guess we begin by looking back. The events of this past week have been so prominent and significant that even trying to remember what life was like before the evening of November 4th seems impossible. It’s like trying to see beyond a mountain, to the planes on the other side. These events have been so monumental for our family, that as we look around at the things around us, such as people running to and frow, busy about their lives, stuck in ruts of routine and monotony, but completely unaware of what just happened to us and the fragility of life and how quickly it can end. Maybe we look at politics, this world of broken promises, mistrust, and finger pointing. A world where we have seemed to live for the past several elections, in a country divided, a world in turmoil, and a future that seems uncertain to the point that some believe that every election could be our last. Yet, for us, this world has stopped. We have momentarily broken out from under the bondage of these things and now have lived in a world where, life, death, and love are all that matter. Both the routine of life and the small things that often divide us, in times like these, seem so insignificant that we wonder how and why those things ever get that important. Yes, for the past ten days nothing has mattered more than the life of our precious daughter, Hannah Glass.

It is hard to tell the story of a life. Sure, there are special events, funny stories, and even mistakes, yet, what is the story of a life? It must begin at birth, the point at which we enter this world small, fragile, and beautiful. Or does it begin sooner than that? Is there a reason for a life? Is there more to life than just being alive? As we have faced these difficult times, many thoughts run through our heads. From the “how’s” to the “why’s” and, of course, we ask, “what is the point of it all and what does it all mean?” Although there will always be some questions, there are also answers. Yes, there is a point to this. Yes, there is a reason. Yes, life is not just about being alive! The simple answer to these things is “Yes” because YES, there is a God! We don’t truly live in a world where something evolved from nothing, where life came from the nonliving, where we are nothing more than products of random chance and happenstance, or where there is no purpose or reason. God is the creator. He is the Intelligent designer who carefully and skillfully crafted this creation. He is the One who gives life, but even more than that, He gives purpose, meaning, and significance to each one of us, because He is the One with the plan, reason, and purpose for each of us. He has created us in His image. He has given us a soul, by which we are more than just a body. We are an eternal being created with a beginning, but then without an ending. Our life on earth may be long, or in Hannah’s case we would say that it was cut short, but the true significance of life is not measured in days or weeks, but rather in its ability to be used by God for His purposes and His reasons. There will be many who deny these things, choosing to live lives separate from the love of God. Those who choose to cling to things which, in the end, they will never be able to keep. Money, influence, possessions, and even relationships will all be lost some day, as life slips away from each of us. When we die, our soul will move on into eternity. Where it will go is based on a decision that each of us must make.

At an early age, Hannah learned, from the Bible, of her Savior’s love, His death on the cross, His life given on behalf of hers, and her need to accept His gift of salvation. She humbled herself, admitted that she was born a sinner, and accepted Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross for herself. If she were able to speak to us today, that is what she would like us all to know first, and she would ask each of us if we would do the same.

The decision to accept and follow Christ changes a person. Hannah was no exception. Her life was filled with purpose and meaning. She loved to talk to people, to hear their needs and connect on a personal level. She loved the piano. It was not an opportunity for attention, but rather an opportunity for her to serve God and others. She loved her bus kids. Those who she got to know through the Wednesday night Bible Club program at church. She listened to them, understood them, empathized with their troubles, and prayed for them. She loved her family. Each one of us here have minds full of memories about things she said or did for us, and the unique time and attention that we each got from her. In her mid-teen years, with the busyness of her work and school life, she seemed to be drifting away for a short time, but as college approached, and she became an adult, she drew closer to us. Then by the time that she went to college last August, and even up to her passing, her relationship with her parents and brothers had never been better!

Outside of relationships and church, Hannah’s big dream in life was to attend Maranatha. Whether it was because of the students she met, or the education she could get, or the closeness to home, the reason was never really clear, but it was always clear that she did not just want to go to college, she wanted to be here at Maranatha. She was a girl who had a vision, set goals, and was highly motivated in reaching those goals. No day passed without her working for her education. Whether she was studying, working a job, or talking to friends, she was always going in an intentional direction towards her future here. Her love for education, the English language, and other people, led her to choosing a major in Secondary English Education, with a minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. She worked ahead in high school through duel enrollment and both summer and winter classes offered online. And, although she was working a full-time job at Hobby Lobby, she was able to graduate high school last spring, and then, four months later, she started her first year on campus as a second semester sophomore. Her hard work and determination also allowed her to get some scholarships and grant money for herself. By the time she started this year, she had her entire four-year undergraduate education paid for with her own money and that of those she found who would help her.

While on campus this semester, we would hear stories of all that was going on in her life. Despite the busyness of her days, what we heard about most was her focus and prioritization of her studies, but also about the needs, hurts, and dreams of those who were her friends and even those who she had just met. Her strong drive and can-do-spirit made her a leader, but her kind compassionate heart, made others want to follow. She set her goals, evaluated her time, worked hard for her education, but most of all, she would forget all this, at times, because she cared for others more than herself, her goals, or her dreams. The story of Hannah Glass is about hard work and determination, but not at the expense of others, for in serving and helping others she found peace, joy, and fulfillment, just like her Savior did with her. As I look around my house right now as I am writing this, I see Hannah’s handiwork everywhere. The fall decorations she put out, her music still on the piano, and even the VBS catalog for next year, full of notes and ides she had in order to make it better! But as I look around now in this place, I see her handiwork living in the hearts and minds of each one of those who are here today to celebrate her life, and what she means to each of us.

The events of the past few days have been tragic to our hearts. There are no words to express the sorrow, grief, and torture that they have been for us. From the long days of waiting to the seemingly endless nights without good sleep, these days have been an eternity of stress, fear, and prayer. Our stomachs were so tight that eating half a sandwich was a decision that we forced on ourselves, just to keep going. Janean and I both found ourselves falling asleep, and losing momentary balance while standing up. There is no end to the depth of the love a parent has for their child. We lived in fear of losing her, but also in the optimism of what we hoped would happen. It was like living under the stress and emotion of multiple realities, all at the same time. Would those eyes open? Would they see us? Would she know who we are at all? As the days drew on, and as the damage done that first night slowly ran its course, we became vividly aware of the reality of where things were going: in the direction of our deepest fears. As we got the news that her heart was now being shut down by her brain, and that there was no more that could be done, we knew that the time had come and that we were going to have to accept the fact that God seemed to be taking Hannah from us.

The decision to choose organ donation was something that we decided well before anyone ever mentioned it. I knew of the theoretical benefit it was to others, although how often are the problems of others ever truly considered or felt? It was an idea in the back of our minds that in the worst-case scenario, maybe we would consider that as an option. A few days before the death of Hannah’s body, I was able to meet with a family member, of whom I always had the greatest of respect for. He was now unexpectedly in need of a transplanted organ. He has a family. He has a life. I loved him, they loved him, and so do many more. This became the initial real event that made this “possibility” start to become less theoretical, and now far more personal. So, at 1 AM, when the last doctor, after having met for around forty-five minutes with the best minds on earth, (minds given them by the same God who we served, who loves us, and has a plan for all this), pulled up a chair to talk to us, then we knew that we were at the end of her physical life. Our hopes were gone, our hearts were crushed, our worst nightmares were now a reality! The excruciating depth of sorrow that we felt finalized our decision. “We must donate her organs to save the lives of others and to save other families from experiencing this depth of pain and torture”! The donation process required the hardest thing from us at that point, more time! We had to make the decision to continue to wait another day and a half with these feelings and under this incredible burden! BUT WE MUST, FOR OTHERS! We must continue to suffer so that a stranger may have a chance to live, so that a mother does not have to see her precious child die in front of her, so that brothers, sisters, grandparents, family, and friends do not have to suffer like we were. We went forward, completely wore out, broken in spirit, unsure how we would ever survive, and signed the paperwork that finalized the decision. On Saturday night, her condition deteriorated further, and her blood pressure became extremely difficult to manage. We were then told that we needed to give the doctors the permission to resuscitate Hannah’s body. I didn’t think that it could have gotten any worse, but we were faced with the reality that not only was our daughter dying, that we had given permission to donate her organs, that we had to wait an extra day and a half in order to just let this torture end, but now, we had to authorize resuscitation! It was hard enough to let her go, and now we had to hold her back!? FOR STRANGERS?! The pain was unspeakable, and once that final straw breaks the back of the camel, and it lies down, helplessly on the ground, but then another one gets added?! This was the lowest point of our journey. We adopted a philosophy through this. Do right, breathe, take small steps, and keep moving forward!! Don’t let emotions be in control! When your heart leaves and seems to steak itself to the ground in protest, DO RIGHT, BREATHE, TAKE SMALL STEPS, AND KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

Once we reached her side on Monday night, Hannah lost consciousness. She was completely unaware of the reality of the situation. We believe that the Lord, knowing His decision and plan, took her spirit to be with Him, shortly after she lost consciousness. We wondered before the “Honor Walk” if she were up in heaven, looking down at us with her heavenly Father, discussing if she needed to come back. We could hear her say, I’m willing but in which way would I be of the most impact. God told her that more was to be gained through her death, than ever could have been by her continuing to live. They were in agreement, His way is best! We were the ones suffering. We still are! She is not, because as the angels spoke to the women at Jesus’ tomb on that first Easter morning, Hannah is not here, she has risen and her soul has been taken to heaven. Don’t seek the living among the dead. Raise your eyes and hearts, look up!

So what does it all mean? What is it all about? Although we may never fully have all the answers and her story seems to just be beginning, I believe that one is very clear. It is about us! Look around. Her life, her story, her legacy was never about her, it is about you! What will you do with the story of her life? What will you do with the sacrifice of her God, for you?