"A human life may sometimes look too short to be worth much, but God, who sees the works of his hands from the perspective of enduring love, clothes even the passing wildflowers with splendor." See http://www.magnificat.com/
Psalm 90
"You turn man back into dust
and say: "Go back, sons of men."
To your eyes a thousand years
are like yesterday, come and gone,
no more than a watch in the night.
In the morning, fill us with your love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Give us joy to balance our affliction
for the years when we knew misfortune."
"The Lord God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being." Genesis 2:7
"You are precious in my eyes." Isaiah 43:4
"When you mentioned in your blog, about how people tell you to "wait" before announcing the news of a pregnancy, and how you couldn't understand that line of thinking. . . well, I completely agree. I found out at six weeks that I was pregnant with my first daughter, and then at three weeks when I was pregnant with my second, and I told the whole world! How can you contain the news?? I sure couldn't. There are those who say, "what if something happens, then what will you tell people?" I'm like, what do you mean? Is life at three weeks any different than life at 38 weeks? If something happens and you miscarry, but don't tell anyone that you were pregnant because you were "waiting" until you were further along, then does that negate the life you were carrying or somehow make it "easier" because you didn't tell anyone in the first place that you were pregnant? I mean, to each his own, but that sure never made sense to me.
"And you know, it's an honor for me to know about these precious lives, even if they live for only a short time in the womb. I see them as precious brothers and sisters of mine, waiting in Heaven for us and looking out for us while we still toil here on earth. Some years ago, while visiting my folks at their house, I was online and came across a group of websites that were linked together, each honoring a stillborn life. Most had descriptions of the baby's family and the baby's birth story, including the complications that led to the baby dying while still in the womb. Many of the sites even had pictures of these sweet babies. I remember very distinctly, my mother walked into the room and wondered what I was reading. I told her and showed her these memorial sites, and she just couldn't understand why I'd want to "look at those". I couldn't verbalize to her how learning about these precious people was like walking in the coolest, calmest, most serene forest, full of love and peace, and how I now viewed these babies as my brothers and sisters. No doubt she'd think I was crazy, but no matter. So when I hear of a friend or acquaintance being newly pregnant, I rejoice that this new little person is my brother or sister, even if they live to only a few weeks in the womb."
Yes, I have named all of my 6 losses and pray with them and for them every day along with my other children! They are a very real spiritual force for me and I feel that they are watching over their mother and like a cheering section - giving me hope and desire for heaven! I would say that all of my living children would voice the desire and joy at the thought of meeting 6 other siblings someday in eternal life in heaven!
From Ephesians:
"For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them."
Here's a radical thought that I know is true... those lives that were here for only 3 months in my womb had a work to do! Yes, they not only are with God ahead of me, but they had a major effect on our family in the pain that we shared together... that pain and loss gave us a deeper value and appreciation for each other and gave the lives we can share with the family that we have here on this earth that much more value! My daughter's powerful letter this morning states that so wonderfully! And as a family we can say that each of those lives... no matter how brief had and has a purpose in this world and draws us to the next!
A cherished picture that my mom took of me with my first, Ruth Ida Rose!
As I was rising groggily from the bed this afternoon - working overnight at the nursing home - my eye came to rest on this book -
Family Prayer for Family Times byKathleeen O'Connell Chesto... it was a gift to me at some point...
Looking at the section on how to celebrate the new arrival of a child into a family.. I came across this prayer with the instructions; "Read this prayer often during the first few weeks with your new baby, and repeat it throughout her childhood" and beyond!
"Lord, you have chosen us
to bring new life into the world.
Just as you made this child in your image and likeness,
she will recreate you in our image.
Let the God we mirror for her
be loving, forgiving, tender, and kind,
ever present, ever watchful, ever gentle.
And may we come to know you in a new way
through this new life you have entrusted to our care."
Yes, our first bundle of joy - little Ruthie is in there! We are thrilled and so happy! Another special prayer to start each day with your child:
"Lord,
open my eyes to see beauty (make a sign of the cross on each eye),
open my ears to hear truth (make a sign of the cross over each ear),
open my mouth to speak kindness (make a sign of the cross over the lips),
open my mind to seek wisdom (make a sign of the cross on the forehead),
open my heart to love (make a sign of the cross over the heart). Amen"
"Keep me, God, as the apple of your eye:
hide me in the shadow of your wings
from all that would hurt me." Psalm 17:8
From the rising of the sun (hands uplifted) to its setting (bring hands down in a folded position),
let the name of the Lord be praised (make the sign of the cross).
"The total body motion in this prayer is helpful to a young child. Begin with your head bowed and eyes closed, turn towards a window, open your eyes and raise your head.
"As the earth turns towards the sun,
teach us to turn to you, Lord. Amen"
At dawn, let me hear of your steadfast love,
for in you I put my trust,
Teach me the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Save me, Lord, from all that would hurt me,
for you are my God. (Psalm 143: 8-9)
I recently got a card from a dear friend with some pictures of her wonderful family! Yes, sweet little Elizabeth arrived 11 years after their last son! Her oldest sister was to head to college about 6 months after she was born! What an amazing gift for her family, and yes a surprise but of the very best kind! She is now about a year and a half and travels far and wide to support her older siblings at Marching Band competitions and soccer games! Her mom describes her as "wiggling" in the womb to the beat of the drums and so it continues as she gets very excited when she sees and hears the drums perform! Her gifts are becoming apparent even in the womb! Such a special joy she has brought to all!
Thank you, Lord for the gift of Elizabeth in this family and this world! All of our families are unique and bring us to the place where we grow together in love and yes the hard times too! Those crosses are what brings us then to the resurrection and the true Life! May we embrace all that our openess to family holds for each one of us, and "wounded we do not cease to love."
Jesus we love you and ask you to be always at the center of our lives and our families... we need you to give us the grace to forgive and love with all that we have. Thank you for the gift of life... may we always cherish life no matter what! Jesus we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, Barb
"The heavens are telling the glory of God and the stars are proclaiming God's handiwork. Each day teaches the new day and each night hands on this knowledge." Psalm 19: 1-2
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