Monday, January 25, 2010

inadequate

Have you ever heard the cry of a mother grieving the loss of her child? It's heartbreaking. Absolutely agonizing. Two weeks ago we attended the memorial service of my cousin, who died at 41. His brother is holding his picture here.....


There is an amazing article you can read here about Phonethip's life and the legacy he left. Hearing the cries of his mother (my aunt) for her son was so painful.



To weep with the weeping is all we can do at a time of loss. However inadequate it feels. Today we attended the grave side service of sweet baby Olive Hope. Her story is here.



She was born premature in Chiang Rai, Thailand. That little sweetie was such a fighter and surpassed all odds she had against her. She surprised her parents and Doctors with all her little spunk. There were so many neat stories of miracles shared at Olive's memorial service last night. But last Friday her infection grew so strong and Jesus called her home. She was 4 months old. This morning as we stood watching these young parents bury their baby girl I was in complete empathy. As we watched Olive lowered into the ground I ached for her parents, fighting the urge to walk over & hug them to ward off a chill that will probably go away. Aching for the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and little cousins who have been praying for this little life.

Hearing again the audible cry of a mama crying for her little baby. So very, very agonizing. I wish there were more to do for them. Wish there was something~anything we could do to ease the pain for our sweet friends Norm & Carol (the grandparents). We have grown close to them through our small group & hurt with them through this valley.

I love you sweet friends. I'm so sorry your hearts are so broken. Mine is broken with you.

10 comments:

Jewel said...

Aw so sad! I know what you're talking about. A couple weeks ago, a friend of mine lost her 3.5 month old baby to SIDs. So sad!!!

Jen Bontrager said...

I know what you mean, Heather. I HATE that there's really nothing we can do to ease the pain. We can pray and I do, but it's so frustrating to not be able to REALLY comfort them.
Also- didn't realize that T's brother died. Very sad about that too.

The Johnsons said...

I couldn't have said it better...100% agree with everything you said. its heart wrenching!

Erin said...

Heather,

I'm so sorry to hear the news about these two very special people in your life. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and friends.

sherri said...

Wow, Heather...you've been in a season of loss over the past couple weeks...so sorry. Your genuine love and care for these dear loved ones and their families is evident in this post...and that is a comfort to them in itself.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and these families.

Mary said...

The older I get the more precious the thought of Heaven and the reunions that will take place there.

I am so, so sorry to hear of the anguish these families are experiencing. I did not know about Phonethip and I will be praying for that precious family.

Thanks for sharing your heart for both of these families. It will keep us on our knees for them.

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cheryl said...

It's true that there's really not much you can do to ease their loss besides be there and pray. It's the best thing to do, but as humans we crave the ability to DO something to ease the pain. A sweet friend of mine lost her infant daughter after only 3 days a few months ago. My heart still hurts for her every day!

Rustin and Lynette Polinder said...

you are so sweet. I just came upon your blog for the first time and started crying when I heard the song you have playing. thank-you for being so present with us during Olive's life and now since then. you have such a gift of being present and made me feel comfortable even before I met you in person.