When I was told that my daughter died, it took my heart a moment to catch up with the words my ears heard. The first thing I felt was shock, followed by numbness. I’m convinced this is the body’s way of protecting itself. Looking back on those early hours, I’m in awe that I couldContinue reading “A Broken Heart Still Beats”
Tag Archives: #childloss
International Bereaved Mother’s Day
Each year the week before Mother’s Day, the world observes International Bereaved Mother’s Day. This year it is on Sunday, May 7th. Who knew there was such a thing? I didn’t realize this until I needed to know. We acknowledge this day because no matter what the circumstance surrounding the death of our children, we would chooseContinue reading “International Bereaved Mother’s Day”
Even in the Broken Parts Hope is Never Gone
Recently I was thinking about the verse, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 NIV. For those of us who have a loved one who ran ahead to heaven, we know what it’s likeContinue reading “Even in the Broken Parts Hope is Never Gone”
Accepting the Life We Didn’t Choose
When the world around you falls apart, and you’re completely blindsided by life, you may wonder, where is God? Does he even exist? While many may cry out to him, others may ask, where is he? Is he even here? If so, how could he let this happen? If you’re like me and are walkingContinue reading “Accepting the Life We Didn’t Choose”
The Multiplication and Division of Grief
We are at a point in our home where neither my husband nor I can help our son any longer in math. When he came home talking about quadratic equations, my eyes rolled into the back of my head. But even without being proficient in this level of math, there is some basic mathematics IContinue reading “The Multiplication and Division of Grief”
Grief and Gratitude
When putting these two words together – grief and gratitude – it seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Yet, as I continue learning more about the grieving process, it’s a term I’ve often heard used. There is a season when grief and gratitude can begin to co-exist sometime down the road. Gratitude during grief meansContinue reading “Grief and Gratitude”
A Firm Foundation Instead of a Slippery Slope
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been waking up with a song in my heart – the same song and the exact words, over and over. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know that music is one of the ways that God gives me hope and encouragement as I navigateContinue reading “A Firm Foundation Instead of a Slippery Slope”
Remembering My Girl
Three years … 1095 days … 26,280 hours ago, you ran ahead to Heaven. It still seems like only yesterday and an eternity, all at the same time. Many have asked if it’s become any more manageable over time – the grief, the missing of you. I hesitate, but only for a moment because, indeed,Continue reading “Remembering My Girl”
Broken People With Hurting Hearts
Today as people gather to celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s take a moment to remember that there are broken people with hurting hearts all around us. Although this day is traditionally one for many to share an expression of love with the special people in their lives, this may not be a day of celebration forContinue reading “Broken People With Hurting Hearts”
Grief, Grit and Grace
Grief, grit, and grace are three different words and meanings, but in some ways complimentary of one another. Not long ago, someone told me I had a lot of grit while grieving Melanie’s death. I was aware that the definition of grief is sorrow, misery, anguish, pain, distress, and agony – all facets of grief I keenly possessed.Continue reading “Grief, Grit and Grace”
Scars: A Double-Edged Sword
After having surgery a few months ago there is still a telltale sign reminding me of what happened. Even after several months, a tiny pink scar remains as an outward sign of what was. After all, as we go through life, most of us will end up with scars – some visible and others thatContinue reading “Scars: A Double-Edged Sword”
Worry and Anxiety: A Consequence of Grief
Currently, I’m reading Winning the War on Worry by Louie Giglio with our small group. Although it’s a concise book (only 100 pages), it’s powerful and has made me stop and think long and hard about some of the things I’ve experienced since Melanie ran ahead to heaven. While examining my heart, it’s brought meContinue reading “Worry and Anxiety: A Consequence of Grief”
Walking the Never-ending Grief Journey with the Healer of My Heart
No matter how many days, months, or years go by, there will always be a piece of my heart that will remain on this never-ending grief journey. Yet, I’m so grateful there is also the Healer of my heart in the midst of the grief. We walk this journey side-by-side. When Melanie first ran aheadContinue reading “Walking the Never-ending Grief Journey with the Healer of My Heart”
Famous Last Words: It Will Never Happen to Me
We will all suffer loss at some point in our lives. While each situation may differ, the loss has one thing in common – heartache. Loss is loss, and grief is grief, no matter the circumstance surrounding the loss. Before you began walking your grief journey, let me ask you, did you ever think it willContinue reading “Famous Last Words: It Will Never Happen to Me”
A New Year: Time to Look in the Rearview Mirror
Have you heard this saying before? For those who are grieving, it takes on a whole new meaning. As a parent who has lost a child, nothing is more important than who has been left behind. Granted, since Melanie ran ahead to heaven, looking back has been challenging. But, on the flip side of theContinue reading “A New Year: Time to Look in the Rearview Mirror”
Christmas Joy and Sorrow
The closer the days move toward Christmas the stronger my grieving heart begins to roar. I’ve been able to keep it subdued and quiet as the weeks have approached. Not intentionally, but it’s been there, bubbling just below the surface. This year I’ve been able to joyfully celebrate the reason for this season – theContinue reading “Christmas Joy and Sorrow”
Wounded Souls Hurt More at Christmas
The impact of grief appears in many different ways. Yet it’s the state of our heart that suffers most. No matter how long we’ve been walking this grief journey, it seems that wounded souls hurt more at Christmas. When a heart is hurting, even the twinkling lights, pretty colors, and beautiful songs don’t seem toContinue reading “Wounded Souls Hurt More at Christmas”
One Holiday Down, One To Go
Although it may not seem like the most jolly way to begin the holidays, how many will admit this thought crossed your mind this past week? It’s pretty common among grievers to say if not out loud, at least to themselves, “Whew, we made it!” And that doesn’t mean we made it through Black FridayContinue reading “One Holiday Down, One To Go”
Invite Grief and Gratitude to the Table
Here we are just a couple of short weeks away from celebrating Thanksgiving. If you’re grieving you may be feeling anything but thankful. Holidays are hard. As we get together with family you may feel pressured to smile and act like everything is fine when your heart is actually broken. My friends, this year let’sContinue reading “Invite Grief and Gratitude to the Table”
With Great Loss Comes a Major Change of Perspective
Have you found that since the loss of your loved one the things that were once so important to you no longer are? I’ve come to learn that with great loss comes a major change of perspective. While talking with a friend over lunch last week we spoke about how our priorities and thoughts hadContinue reading “With Great Loss Comes a Major Change of Perspective”