I came across this photo of Hopey, taken in December of 2008. I paused because Mira is now wearing that same sleeper and often has the same little pigtails. It's felt a little confusing to look at Hopey laying there in my arms, trying to take a bottle, and then look at Mira wearing the princess sleeper, but she's running around and saying words.
I look at Hopey in this picture and remember, but it is strange to be remembering, when it feels like yesterday. Ashley and Hope aren't here, but they don't feel far away. I miss them each day, but I don't think of them every moment. I'm grieving inside but I'm functioning and joyful on the outside.
Life is full of contradictions.
This next photo reminds me of all the photos I have of Brodie cuddling Ashley or Hope. How many times a day do we marvel and wonder at the blessing of Mira and Brodie in our lives? It is ongoing...
And at the same time, we wonder at the blessings of having had Ashley and Hope in our lives. How would we have appreciated the deep joy of two healthy children, without the experience of our journey with Ashley and Hope?
Mira puts her warm, chubby arms around my neck and squeezes tight
and I pray a thank you
Mira sings out her joy in church with no thought for those who might want to hear the homily
and I pray a thank you
Mira runs at Brodie with her arms open wide, tackling him with her hug
and I pray a thank you
Brodie reminds me that we should help Mira know the girls, by making her a special book
and I pray a thank you
Brodie takes Mira by the hand and lovingly shows her the butterfly's that symbolize life
and I cry a little as I pray a thank you.
8 comments:
Just beautiful. And how wonderful to see your gratefulness to God through it all.
Love you lots,
Kyla
Wow, SO perfectly said!
And we are praying 'Thank you" for bringing you to this point.So just keep on hurting---missing---crying---remembering---and saying Thank you Love
Johnny and Helen
I pray a thank you; that's a good way of putting it! At a difficult time in my life, I'm realizing how many "thank yous" to pray, as I see my quotas of "manna". SO true how God helps us to see every blessing from having been through the hard times. I come to your blog for encouragement and I hope and pray you receive it too.
Today I pray a thank you for all the lessons you have taught me.
Hugs,
Sally
Thanks, Jolene! :)
Thank you for sharing Jolene. The only way that I have survived the last 3 plus years is by continually saying those exact words.
Think of you so much, especially this week as you remembered Hope's birthday. Love what you wrote here!
Post a Comment