As the sun is setting to announce the end of Mother's Day here in Northern Colorado, I am wondering what kind of weekend and day you have experienced.
Were you as busy as I was - surrounded by family?
Were you ever mindful of the that someone very special was missing?
Did you spend the day alone?
Did memories of happier Mother's Day come to your heart and mind?
Were you able to speak your child's name? Was there an element of thankfulness and even joy or did you suffer and grieve even more than you expected you would?
As you can tell, I am very mindful of you today, as I know how emotional this day can be for all of us who have suffered the loss of a child. You are ALWAYS in my heart and prayers and I hope that you are at peace and rest, as this day come to a close.
It has been my absolute honor and pleasure to compile and post the week's- worth of "reflections" from some very special "heroes of hope" in preparation for Mother's Day 2013. I have been deeply touched by the courage, faith and hope displayed in what each mom has shared - - evidence that God's promise to "give beauty for ashes, joy for mourning and praise for the spirit of heaviness . . . " Isaiah 61:3 is a reality in their lives.
A Special Thank You! to each precious mom who wrote for these postings - you honor your children and glorify God with how you are living your life in response t - I always look forward to hearing from other "moms like me" and you honor your children and glorify God with how you are living with the hole in your heart that has your "eternal" child's name written all over it.
We would be pleased to hear comments from those of you who have read these posts - were you comforted and encouraged somehow? Blessings and Hugs, Angie Green, Director, Mothers Like Me Comfort Ministry
In Loving Memory of Joshua and Jennifer
Susan Gray, Founding Director, Haven of Hope Ministries for Grieving Moms
www.haven-of-hope.org
There was a time that I anticipated and celebrated this wonderful day back before it became painful.
There was a time that motherhood did not hurt. It was hard sure, and as a single mom, it brought its challenges. But, I absolutely adore being a mom.
Then on November 31,2002 I lost both of my children to a horrific train accident that also took the life of my dad. I went home to an empty house, as those were my only children. Not only did Mothers Day change for me, but my identity changed, as well. Who was I, if I was no longer Joshua and Jennifer's mother? What was my purpose? What next?
Then I read this scripture Philippians 1:6 “For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Then I knew that just because Joshua and Jennifer were not here on Earth with me, I am still their mother. I will never cease being their mother. Parenting them just looks different now.
The truth of that passage tells me that their lives here on Earth are over, but their legacy lives on until the day of Christ Jesus. My job now, as their mom, is to help that legacy live on, while glorifying God. This gives me purpose in my pain, what a gift.
I have since remarried, and I now have four wonderful boys that call me mom. But, Mother's Day will never be the same for me. There will be no more Mothe'rs Day hugs and kisses from Joshua and Jennifer, and that still stings no matter how many more children call me mom. However, I have found purpose in my pain and I love sharing about Joshua and Jennifer every chance I get.
So this Mothers Day I still did not anticipate it, but I celebrated it, because I would not trade one moment of the joy of being Joshua and Jennifer's mother.
My prayer for all of us this Mother's Day is that we can find comfort and purpose in our pain, and we can celebrate carrying on our children’s legacy until the day of Christ Jesus.
In Loving Memory of My Son, Ryan
Shirley Vander Wall, Belleville, Michigan
Mother's Day has always been a blessed day for me. I loved being a mom to our 3 children, Renee, Matt, and Ryan, and now a grandma to 8 grandchildren. Two Mother's Day Sundays stand out in my mind, both related to our son, Ryan.
When Ryan was 3 years old, we brought him to Denver for open heart surgery (April 1981) for tricuspid atresia. As this was a new surgery for the local surgeon and for patients from the high altitude of Denver, we were rather apprehensive about the outcome. God heard the prayers of a host of family and friends: Ryan's surgery was successful and his health improved dramatically!
A few weeks later, as I sat in church with Ryan on my lap on Mother's Day, I was overwhelmed with thanks to God for our "new" son!
Through the years, Ken and the children treated me royally on Mother's Day with handmade cards, flowers, breakfast in bed, hugs, and sitting together in church. We prayed that our children would learn to love the God we served. I will always treasure those memories.
In December 2006, we lost Ryan to liver cancer, a long term result of his heart problems and the surgery he had had in 1981. God had blessed him with a life filled with friends, loving family, and normal activities. As Mother's Day approached in 2007,
I braced for the familiar wave of grief. However, I was surprised to realize, as I sat in church on that Sunday, that my greatest hope for my children was that they know the Lord and would spend Eternity with Him. My prayers had been answered for Ryan! A new wave of thankfulness to God filled my heart, as I imagined our voices joining with Ryan's, praising God in Heaven. This thought continues to give me joy every Mother's Day.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. Thank you for loaning these children to us for a Season. Thank you for Your Son, who died for us and rose again, so that we might live Eternally with You. Amen.
One of my favorite Bible passages continues to be Jeremiah 29:11,12 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
Shirley Vander Wall, Belleville, Michigan
Mother's Day has always been a blessed day for me. I loved being a mom to our 3 children, Renee, Matt, and Ryan, and now a grandma to 8 grandchildren. Two Mother's Day Sundays stand out in my mind, both related to our son, Ryan.
When Ryan was 3 years old, we brought him to Denver for open heart surgery (April 1981) for tricuspid atresia. As this was a new surgery for the local surgeon and for patients from the high altitude of Denver, we were rather apprehensive about the outcome. God heard the prayers of a host of family and friends: Ryan's surgery was successful and his health improved dramatically!
A few weeks later, as I sat in church with Ryan on my lap on Mother's Day, I was overwhelmed with thanks to God for our "new" son!
Through the years, Ken and the children treated me royally on Mother's Day with handmade cards, flowers, breakfast in bed, hugs, and sitting together in church. We prayed that our children would learn to love the God we served. I will always treasure those memories.
In December 2006, we lost Ryan to liver cancer, a long term result of his heart problems and the surgery he had had in 1981. God had blessed him with a life filled with friends, loving family, and normal activities. As Mother's Day approached in 2007,
I braced for the familiar wave of grief. However, I was surprised to realize, as I sat in church on that Sunday, that my greatest hope for my children was that they know the Lord and would spend Eternity with Him. My prayers had been answered for Ryan! A new wave of thankfulness to God filled my heart, as I imagined our voices joining with Ryan's, praising God in Heaven. This thought continues to give me joy every Mother's Day.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. Thank you for loaning these children to us for a Season. Thank you for Your Son, who died for us and rose again, so that we might live Eternally with You. Amen.
One of my favorite Bible passages continues to be Jeremiah 29:11,12 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
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