In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, we are told: &uot;Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.&uot;

After an already difficult week, we learned of the death of Matthew Golden, 6, and even as we stood in the midst of destruction, we found ourselves speechless and in mourning.

We join Matthew's family and friends in mourning him.

Who could have known that one special little boy could bring so many people to tears.

We've shared with our readers his progress and setbacks since his accident on Dec. 28, 2003.

We've laughed with the good news and we've cried with the bad.

We believe that through Matthew, our community found a common goal, to see this child back to life and with us all.

We ached for the opportunity to report that he was awake and talking, but that opportunity never came.

So today, we report of his passing.

We may want to claim ownership over others, but no one truly belongs to us.

We are all God's children and at this juncture, we believe God called Matthew home to be with him.

We know he is totally healed today and that is playing in the streets of heaven with only peace, love and harmony for the pain and suffering of this world have passed away.

Now, those of us still here seek absolution.

We must continue to support the Goldens now in their darkest hour and in the days and months to come.

Let us not forget Matthew Golden and the way he taught us how to openly pray and care for strangers.

Let us continue to do so and be comforted in the fact that his short earthly life will always have an eternal affect on us all.

God bless the Goldens and the Moorers in your loss.

Just know that your community stands

with you and we hope to be able to comfort you.

God be with us all and may we always remember heaven's newest angel, who was ours but for a short time.