I began thinking this week about Mother's Day in light of the fact that both my parents and my father-in-law lost their moms this past year.How strange to be without your mom and for my dads...without either parent now.
Being a new mom, I'm more aware of the special love between a mother and child. Kayla is my baby and she depends on me (and Ryan) for everything. Of course that will (or at least should) change in the coming years, but for better or worse, I will be one of the most important and influential people in this little person's life.
I can't imagine how strange it must be after 50-60 years of honoring your mom on Mother's Day, to suddenly not have that special person to honor. My heart goes out to them.
My heart also goes out to my friends who have been moms to little babies that did not make it in this world, but were taken early in their little lives. They will meet their babies in Heaven and finally know the
Finally, my heart goes out to my aunt and Jeff's parents as this Mother's Day is undoubtedly a reminder that their little boys are no longer with them. OK-Jeff was probably never very "little" :) BUT he was their son and I know that loss is poignant even 6 years after his home-going.
I have found comfort in this passage from Ecclesiastes. I hope it is comforting to you as well.
Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything
1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
2 comments:
How true your thoughts are Gretchen. So many times during the years of raising my boys I wished I could have shared the joys and concerns I had with my mom. Even after 37 years, especially on Mother's Day, the loss felt by her absence still seems huge! Yet how fortunate I was to be blessed with such a wonderful mother for my first 16 years. Now I am so fortunate to know that my granddaughter is being raised by the most wonderful and loving mommy and daddy she could have. It truly is a blessing! Melanie
Gretch, i was thinking very similarly during mother's day. My wife Harriet and I having just become parents in April (see www.labelme.org/family/blog) my perspective totally changed on father/motherhood. I have become accutely aware of the fact that my parents ARE getting older.. (Because I am a father!) and although I definitely don't want to consider the day when i will no longer be able to celebrate with my parents, thanking them for their love and sacrifice, I trust Jesus' timing is correct and best. Love to you and your family!! Stu
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