For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:20-21
Dear Kali,
Today you’d be 17.
I still miss you. Because even after 17 years, you’re still my little girl.
I’m one year closer to spending eternity with you, to learning the ins and outs of your soul.
Yet this year is different. You’ve got Nana and Granddaddy with you this year. They always remembered your birthday down here. Now they’re celebrating with you and Jesus up there.
Say hello to them. Tell them I miss them. Like I miss you. And that I love them.
Like I love you.
Sweet dreams,
Mom
But until then, I’ll add their significance on top of each other every year.
And this year, as in the past 17, I’ll be grateful for Kali. And for my parents. For short lives and long lives. For hope in the future and memories from the past.
For...
Maker of heaven, Giver of life
You are my strength my song in the night
My refuge my shelter now and forevermore
My help comes from the Lord
“My Help Comes from the Lord” by The Museum
* * *
If you know someone who has lost a child,
the best gift you can give them is remembrance.
If you have lost a child,
the healthiest attitude you can cultivate is gratefulness.
Related:
- Will I give him glory anyway?
- Today I wish…but I am…
- All roads lead home
- Living well through life, through death
Books and songs:
- “Five People You Meet in Heaven”—Mitch Albom
- “Heaven Is the Face”—Steven Curtis Chapman
- “I Will Carry You”—Angie Smith
27 comments:
I have never lost a child. But I remember when my brother passed away three years ago, my Mom saying that it was the hardest thing she had ever had to go through. Harder than when my Dad had passed away thirteen years before that. But then she said I don't know how those without the Lord does it because without Him I couldn't have made it.
Praying even now He is comforting and strengthening you.
Oh Lisa -- I did not know you had lost a child. I think that must be one of the hardest things a parent would ever have to go through. Though it's hard to lose parents as well, it must be comforting to think of them together.
Thinking of every year as one year closer to being with loved ones in heaven is a perceptive I had not thought of in quite that way, but it is a blessing.
i lost my two boys. while reading your post and listening to the music, i began to miss them all over again. God healed my heart from pain, from losing my two boys. i love them very much. and i'm looking forward to meeting them again... when my time here is up.
Lisa, this is a beautiful post. I don't know your story but I identify with it in small ways...having miscarried. And my mom lost two of my siblings. So this pain has been felt in our family but the anticipation of seeing and meeting these people holds its own joy.
Thank you for sharing this!
Such a wonderful song and a beautiful post. May God surround you today with his strength and comfort.
Lisa, what a very precious letter you wrote to your Kali in heaven. And yes, how comforting to know that she is meeting her Granddaddy now too. I almost picked this song today too. The words are so meaningful.
blessings and much love,
Debbie
This post brought tears to my eyes. There will be rejoice in Heaven someday when you are all there.
God Bless you,
Ginger
I was not aware you lost a child, is there a way you could share her story? for the new readers.
If it is not too difficult.
Lisa,
Thanking God for your heartfelt words and transparency and for the joy that comes from knowing our help comes from the LORD.
Hugging you in my heart.
A mother's love is forever.
God blessed you with the gift of Kali to hold forever in your heart and for eternity. The loss of your child is beyond understanding - but in time when there will be no more need for time you will know.
How joyful though still bittersweet to think of her grandparents with her "this year".
Beautiful sharings, Lisa - thank you.
Love,
Lynn
Stopping by from Spiritual Sundays ~ Praying for you and your family but remember, loss is not a goodbye, it is simply a "see you later". (((HUGS)))
grettajohns.blogspot.com
Lisa, this is a precious post that brought tears here. The anchor of your faith is inspiring. Blessings on you today, friend.
I can't imagine your pain, but I see a woman of great courage and faith. Bless you.
To share the deepest pain of your soul is a very courageous thing. Praising God in spite of your great loss is a miraculous act of the spirit. God bless you, Dr. Bobbi
HI Lisa...a close friend of mine lost her 17 yr. old son. It has to be one of the hardest things to go through. Thank you for your post today. Sending you a ton of hugs. Sarah
This brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing this.
Blessings to you.
Personally I have not lost a child.
My mom, sister & sis-in-law have all experienced that loss.
(((Hugs)))
Dearest Lisa... reading this post brings tears to my eyes...often i think of my grand parents who had stepped on to glory.. i imagine the day i would walk with them and Jesus...oh what a great rejoicing it would be...
thank you for such a sweet post. time is not too long before we would all gather there.
Hugs,
Ruth
What precious thoughts. Happy Birthday to your Kali. The older I get the more I realize that life really is as a vapor that vanishes away. Soon we will not be counting time at all. How marvelous that will be.
Blessings to you.
Charlotte
You and yours will be in my prayers. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Have a blessed Sunday!
My very dear friend lost a son 26 years ago. It has to be the hardest thing to walk through. Blessings to you as you cherish your sweet memories.
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
Lisa, my hearts breaks for you, so dear and encouraging in your daily words to us who struggle.
We all just keep breathing through each day, don't we? With our pain and losses and shames.
But that breath, that breath gift from our Father that inhales an indescribable joy you often speak of when you mention your loved ones lost. May that assurance of an eternal future together wrap itself around you and comfort you.
"one year closer..."
I'm going to remember this when I think about our little one in Heaven.
Thank you for this...I wandered in from another link, but wanted to read about your daughter Kali....
Kara,
So you know what I feel then. Sorry about your loss but we’re blessed to know that our joys will one day exceed the pain—for all eternity!
Hi Lisa.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We too have lost a very close 16 yr friend to a tragic motorcycle accident. It was very hard to accept. Because he is such a sweet boy and we are devastated without him. Hugs to you.
Losses like that are always very deep. I am so sorry for the pain you and your friend’s family are going through. :-( May your sweet memories of this young man forever be preserved in your hearts. Hugs back to you.
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