Tuesday afternoon, January 12th, the worst earthquake in more than two centuries, 7.0 in magnitude, struck in the Caribbean port city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Following the devastating natural disaster were twelve aftershocks with a magnitude of greater than 5.0. Homes, businesses, and national landmarks were reduced to rubble in a matter of moments. Hundreds of thousands are feared dead, with the reality that many more will perish in the wake of the earthquake from disease, starvation, dehydration, and looting. Indeed, it is a tragic event that brings much sadness, but I am also reminded of another tragedy which touched me personally even though it happened more than fifteen years ago. This one, however, is memorable for a different reason, one that continues to stir my soul. Below are the remarks I made at the funeral of Paula Brown, one of my students while I was serving as an administrator.

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Little Paula Brown died October 27, 1994, in a tragic fire in North Vandergrift. She was only four years of age. Those of us who knew her, even briefly, perceived that Paula possessed maturity beyond her years. In the final moments of her life she vindicated that perception as she demonstrated the greatest virtues of a tender heart: wisdom, courage, compassion, and love.

Paula was the first to realize that something was terribly wrong. There was a fire in the house. She must tell grandfather. "Grandfather!" she cried aloud. "We must do something about this fire!" Her young voice pleading. Startled awake, her grandfather heard Paula’s warning and escaped the consuming flames.

In the flight from danger, there was no hope of rescuing the other children caught up in the sweeping inferno. Still, without thought for her own safety, Paula broke away from the security of her grandfather’s arms and returned into the house now ablaze. She was in search of her three younger sisters, Marissa and Alesesha, twins, age two and Claudia, age one. She knew her sisters were too young to flee from danger so she attempted to rescue them herself. 

In that single, desperate, heroic act—she perished. She laid down her life to save her grandfather and tried to save her sisters. Her charred remains were found the next day. We can all hope that Paula did not have to suffer long. I am confident that holy angels swept down to carry her soul, and that of her sisters, into the presence of the Creator.

While there is nothing that can really be said to ease the terrible suffering of the loss of one’s children, something should be said on behalf of a child who loved others more than herself. We at our own church and our own school, where Paula was attending pre-school, would like to honor her memory. She touched our lives and we will never forget her.

We are living in a very violent society. The news each day is a steady diet of kidnapping, murder, rape, drive-by shootings, muggings and robberies. Little Paula reminds all of us that we don't have to hurt each other. We can care enough, not only to be kind, but also to give our lives so that others may live. Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

At four years of age, Paula Brown saved one life and then died trying to rescue others. This little child is worthy of our deepest respect. She was much like the Lord whom she loved.

"Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity,
Suffer me to come to Thee.

Lamb of God, I look to Thee:
Thou shalt my example be;
Thou art gentle, meek and mild;
Thou wast once a little child.

Fain I would be as Thou art;
Give me Thy obedient heart.
Thou art pitiful and kind,
Let me have Thy loving mind.

Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb,
In Thy gracious hands I am;
Make me, Saviour, what Thou art;
Live Thyself within my heart.

Let me above all fulfill,
God my heavenly Father's will;
Never His good Spirit grieve,
Only to His glory live.

I shall then show forth Thy praise;
Serve Thee all my happy days;
Then the world shall always see
Christ, the Holy child in me."

In Paula, the world can see Christ, the Holy Child. And that is why Jesus said, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14).