Thursday, May 9, 2013

Healthy Grieving

While a person is grieving, absolutely nothing about it feels healthy.  As a matter of fact, my head is throbbing right now, my eyes are bulging and swollen, and my chest feels like the elephants from the Circus are still in town and camping out there.  But, grieving is necessary, and ultimately healthy. 

Yesterday, we took the big girls to the funeral home to say hello and goodbye to their baby sister Addy Hope.  This is not what we expected or planned to do, but there is no playbook and every child grieves differently.  Dryden and Soleil were adamant that they needed to "see" and "touch" Addy.  The funeral home director was amazing, and he made Addy look like an absolute princess baby lying under a beautiful spring time quilt.  Her lips were perfectly pink, and it looked like she may wake up and cry at any moment.

 
Dryden documenting her sister Addy so she never forgets...

Jacques and I studied our sweet girl from top to bottom many times.
I assure you, 
everything was perfect.
Addy Hope was a perfect gift from God,
and I was blessed to have carried her for 39 weeks.
 


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16 comments:

  1. SherryMay 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Bless you and your sweet family, i have no words, only prayers for God to comfort you during this time. I am so sorry for your loss

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  2. Grandma ShelleyMay 9, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    I am so sorry to read this. You will be in my prayers. God has a beautiful little girl with him now, and you have an angel watching over and waiting for you all to, someday, be reunited in Heaven. Hugs.....

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  3. hpdearmanMay 9, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    Forever in my prayers. May God continue to pour out His blessings upon your precious family.

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  4. DawnMay 9, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    I still have no words....I cry often when I think of your little family and how it is going through so much. This certainly was not the happily ever after so many of us prayed for with you. All I can do now is pray for peace, and that God wrap his loving arms around you and comfort your broken hearts.

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  5. DonnetteMay 9, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Addy Hope is beautiful

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  6. Andrea O.May 9, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    I am praying for you as you work through this grief and emerge on the other side, filled with the memories of your precious time with Addy as she grew within you, and strengthened by the love you shared.

    -Andrea

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  7. LoriMay 9, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    Oh, precious child of God... so perfectly made and desperately wanted! How our hearts ache to know you. What a blessed HOPE to know that your Mama and I will watch as you and Abby play together in the meadows of heaven... wait a minute!... on our tropical beach in heaven! There.... that's better! So very much to look forward to! Have a blast 'til we get there, sweet Addy Hope! We simply can't wait!!!

    "Aunt Lori"

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  8. VickyMay 9, 2013 at 4:12 PM

    Love and prayers, Addy Hope is beautiful and perfect! How sweet that her older sisters were able to visit and say their hello's and goodbye's! Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

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  9. JulieMay 9, 2013 at 4:34 PM

    Oh my heart breaks for your family. Will be praying for you. Your baby is beautiful and perfect just like your other beautiful girls. God bless you...

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  10. SueMay 9, 2013 at 4:45 PM

    Prayers for you all who lost Addy on Earth. She will be looking over her parents and big sisters.

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  11. UnknownMay 9, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    Addy Hope is such a beautiful child of God! My whole family will keep you in our prayers while you & your family grieve the loss of such a precious child!

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  12. Messy and WonderfulMay 9, 2013 at 9:57 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss. I have been following your blog and was looking forward to your new arrival. I will pray for peace and healing in your home.

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  13. ChristyMay 9, 2013 at 11:45 PM

    I am praying for your sweet family that God wraps his loving arms around you guys and holds you tight in this tough hour. Addy is in the arms of Jesus where she is complete with many other gone too soon angels. We love you guys and am praying for you all.

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  14. CheriMay 11, 2013 at 8:07 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss and your grief. I've experienced the death of a newborn a few times. And as painful as it is at the time, it is wonderful to look back on that time and see it all in a new light. God, our healer, is so amazing in our grief. It has been many years since my babies' deaths, but when I read your blog, all the feelings came rushing back again. The pain never goes away, but I've learned to understand it.

    Your daughter is very beautiful. They all are.

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  15. JohannaMay 14, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    Even though you don't know me, I want you to know that I am praying for you and your whole family. Addy Hope is beautiful. As you grieve, I hope it is some comfort to know that people all over the country are praying for you!

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  16. CindyMay 15, 2013 at 2:44 PM

    I am sorry to read this, your blog has always been inspiring and you have a beautiful family. May our Healer bring you comfort with the loss of your Addy Hope. I can see thru your words that you still have Joy in every season of life. HUGS. Prayers too!

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