I know of a man and his wife, a little older than us, that had a son who died some time ago in a car crash. Same age as our Hans, same abrupt end. I don't know these folks personally; they are acquaintances of my husband. I have only seen them from a distance. I … Continue reading Is Anyone Remembering Him Today?
child loss
Blessings of Bereavement
Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Psalm 119:67 BLESSINGS OF BEREAVEMENT by J. R. Miller, 1896 At first we would be disposed to say that no blessings can come out of bereavements. But the grace of God has such wondrous power, that even from the saddest desolating of … Continue reading Blessings of Bereavement
You’re Going to Make It
"Live on promises, not on explanations. Even if God explained why your child died, the answer wouldn't end the heartbreak or quench the questions. Instead of explanations, God gives promises, which keep you moving ahead, giving hope and new strength. "You'll get through your grief. It won't end today or next month. But there is … Continue reading You’re Going to Make It
Surviving Child Loss: Now What?
Initially, the pain of child loss is so severe, that it is easy to wonder if it is survivable. Many women say they know, if it happened to them, they could not survive it. But, I want to tell them: Yes, you can. If I can, you can. We have no choice in the matter. … Continue reading Surviving Child Loss: Now What?
Healing After Child Loss
I still get those moments where I just can't comprehend that Hans is gone from us. But the difference now is the intensity. Those first weeks and months, and into the second year, it would just immobilize me - the pain saturated me through and through - I didn't know such pain existed. Back then, … Continue reading Healing After Child Loss
The Sting of Death
As one who is allergic to bee venom, I have a real appreciation for this word “sting.” The sting of a hornet (yellow-jacket) has the potential to kill me and the only safe bee, for me, is a dead one, or one whose stinger has been removed. So when this corruptible shall have put … Continue reading The Sting of Death
Rejoice in the Lord
On Mother's Day Evening 2013, Jonathan Campbell Hamilton, son of Ron and Shelly Hamilton, was taken to Heaven at the age of thirty-four after a long struggle with mental illness. I have heard Mr. Hamilton sing Rejoice in the Lord countless times over many years but never knew until recently about the loss of his … Continue reading Rejoice in the Lord
Let it Come
When you are sitting there alone and you are weeping, and the longing for your child is a thick and expanding heaviness in your chest threatening to erupt from your throat in silent, choking grief. When the missing him becomes a mountain of sadness that is looming over you and you whisper your child's name … Continue reading Let it Come
Anton Chekhov | Grief
I was deep into a collection of short stories written by Anton Chekhov when I turned the page and was confronted with a story entitled Grief. I briefly considered skipping it, but I am so glad I didn't. Mr. Chekhov understands a bereaved parent's compelling need to talk about their loss. Every public domain site I … Continue reading Anton Chekhov | Grief
As Time Goes By
Contrary to various cultural notions, there is no set time-frame for grieving. None of us "gets over it" in the one year (or less) of mourning that is often allotted to us. Each family, and every member within it, operates within a unique set of circumstances that will influence both the weight and duration of … Continue reading As Time Goes By
It is Raining
It is raining As if nothing has happened It is raining And the trees stand there As they have for centuries Watching me and remembering Sympathetic But unhelpful They've seen this sort of thing before A mother Weeping There are little leaves on the rose bushes Who will graduate into adult leaves That will never … Continue reading It is Raining
Strengthened According to His Word: Part Two
The Blessings of Sound Doctrine (Part two of a three-part series) Doctrine: "Act of teaching or that which is taught; scriptural teaching on theological truths." https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/doctrine/ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalm 119:71 Sound doctrine protects the griever from error and deception and from a potential spiral into … Continue reading Strengthened According to His Word: Part Two
Strengthened According to His Word: Part One
The Blessings of Sound Doctrine (Part one of a four-part series) Doctrine: "Act of teaching or that which is taught; scriptural teaching on theological truths." https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/doctrine/ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Psalm 119:28 One of the potential positives of bereavement is the opportunity it provides for a healthy examination of … Continue reading Strengthened According to His Word: Part One
No Words
“How are you doing?” There are no words in any language that are sufficient to the task of expressing what I am experiencing. That is why, in some cultures, the women wail when someone dies. Even wailing is inadequate. There are some things that cannot be halved by sharing them. Grief is one of … Continue reading No Words
Another Day Closer
It’s not that sorrow wears off, or grieving gets easier. It’s just that you come to an awareness that sorrow is not getting you anywhere. Slowly, you realize your tears will not bring your child back. The churning rawness begins to level off, not because the pain is less, but because you become too worn … Continue reading Another Day Closer
