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

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

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

Let it Come

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Ecclesiastes 7:3 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 …

Continue reading Let it Come

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

No Words

Kincaid Park, Anchorage, Alaska “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 …

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

Campfire in the snow

Forgetting

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; Isaiah 49:15-16 There are things about Hans I will never forget for as long as …

Continue reading Forgetting

Why?

In this post: Why me?Your child's life mattered.No Small Answer to a Very Big Question Leaving the Why? Question with God Why me? Why?... Yes, there is sin in the world, and death and suffering, and so it will be until Jesus comes back. But Why me? many want to know. Why my child? The answer …

Continue reading Why?