Saturday, October 27, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Ideas and Projects: An Update
About a month ago or so I was determined to change my focus from all grief to actually living my life after babyloss. I was ready to discover who I am again. I want to find joy and not always be sad. So I created a list of ideas. It was helpful! And I am happy to say I have been busy living out the items on my list. I hope to update them now.
List of ideas for Project Heal
I loved taking the online photography course Illuminate. It was an amazing photo-healing class that encouraged me to use my camera to move forward, change focus and learn about photography. I am thrilled with the outcome. I actually completed all of my assignments using a wordpress blog with the same name as my blogger blog. Now I need to decide how to merge the two. But I really love just how amazing the photos look in wordpress. Do you want to see all of my assignments than visit my blog created for Illuminate assignments here.
The Designed For Life women's conference in Springfield, MO was amazing. I was able to go away for three days I was able to go away for 3 days and be immersed with girlfriends, fun, shopping, happy rings, and God. The title of the conference I attended was “Designed for Life: A Love Story.” The theme was intended to allow me to share my story of my life while intimately experiencing the love of my Heavenly Father. I experienced life in a bubble where I could get in touch with my feelings, thoughts, and fears in a very protected setting. I experienced songs, teachings, and pampering that spoke to my spirit. And one exciting part for me in that was being able to let go of some of the guilt and shame of grief that has been weighing me down. I was able to feel loved by God and hear of promises He is so graciously will to share over me. I connected deeper with women who have become special friends since my loss.
I was able to open my eyes to the tiniest of details of living. I was surrounded by new babies and was able to glance at them without deep pain. I was able to receive the blessing of my children. I was able to hear the words “Children need mommy’s who are happy” “Husbands need wives who are confident” “Brothers need Sisters who are beautiful” and believe that inside me I have what it takes to choose to be that mommy, wife, and sister! I was able to laugh really hard until I cried as a speaker from Australia spoke the words due date, estrogen, and awesome in a cool Australian accent. I felt my spirit lift at as the speakers shared funny stories and deep truths. I came back home with a content heart and I couldn’t wait to love on my husband and children. I felt so loved by them as they shared “welcome home mommy” cookies and lots of snuggles. I was able to recognize pure joy in my heart as my three year old wrapped his arms around my neck.
And there is still more Project Heal on the horizon. Here are some items that remain and maybe I need to come with a few more ideas.
List of ideas for Project Heal
Take a photography class -- I am really excited about this one! ACCOMPLISHED
I loved taking the online photography course Illuminate. It was an amazing photo-healing class that encouraged me to use my camera to move forward, change focus and learn about photography. I am thrilled with the outcome. I actually completed all of my assignments using a wordpress blog with the same name as my blogger blog. Now I need to decide how to merge the two. But I really love just how amazing the photos look in wordpress. Do you want to see all of my assignments than visit my blog created for Illuminate assignments here.
Attend the Designed For Life women's conferenceATTENDED
The Designed For Life women's conference in Springfield, MO was amazing. I was able to go away for three days I was able to go away for 3 days and be immersed with girlfriends, fun, shopping, happy rings, and God. The title of the conference I attended was “Designed for Life: A Love Story.” The theme was intended to allow me to share my story of my life while intimately experiencing the love of my Heavenly Father. I experienced life in a bubble where I could get in touch with my feelings, thoughts, and fears in a very protected setting. I experienced songs, teachings, and pampering that spoke to my spirit. And one exciting part for me in that was being able to let go of some of the guilt and shame of grief that has been weighing me down. I was able to feel loved by God and hear of promises He is so graciously will to share over me. I connected deeper with women who have become special friends since my loss. 
I was able to open my eyes to the tiniest of details of living. I was surrounded by new babies and was able to glance at them without deep pain. I was able to receive the blessing of my children. I was able to hear the words “Children need mommy’s who are happy” “Husbands need wives who are confident” “Brothers need Sisters who are beautiful” and believe that inside me I have what it takes to choose to be that mommy, wife, and sister! I was able to laugh really hard until I cried as a speaker from Australia spoke the words due date, estrogen, and awesome in a cool Australian accent. I felt my spirit lift at as the speakers shared funny stories and deep truths. I came back home with a content heart and I couldn’t wait to love on my husband and children. I felt so loved by them as they shared “welcome home mommy” cookies and lots of snuggles. I was able to recognize pure joy in my heart as my three year old wrapped his arms around my neck.Take a Walk by myselfYep did that too!
And there is still more Project Heal on the horizon. Here are some items that remain and maybe I need to come with a few more ideas.
- Read a book with my oldest daughter--her pick
- Take a walk with a friend
- Try something new
- Create a peaceful place
- Listen to Christian music and dive into devotion with God
Monday, October 8, 2012
Waking to the Grief
I woke this morning with a longing in my heart to have a sweet 6 month old laying next to me. I felt the emptiness in my arms as I breathed in what should have been. I haven't been here in a while. I try not to think about the could haves or should haves much anymore. But my inner being had different plans today. I couldn't stop trying to imagine my Seth baby next to me with sweet smiles and hands drawn to his mouth. I couldn't help but imagine what it would have been like to wake up next to him and nurse him. I find myself wishing I was holding him in my arms and feeling his snuggle. The longing and the emptiness took over my mind. My arms ached for him.
I got up and started my day, but I had a sadness that I just couldn't shake. The kids were dressed and ready. I drove them to school. I left the school alone and I felt the sadness rising in me and the tears began to stream down my face. I tried to hold them back, but it was time for them to be released once again. As I was driving home I could feel I needed to work through this grief. I found myself driving past my house and I knew just where I was heading. I would visit Seth's sweet resting place today. My mind began to plan out just how I would work through this sadness today. I had a plan. I would tend to this grief today or it would dominate me.
As I drove into the cemetery I felt a peace rising. I know it may sound strange, but I feel blessed at the place we chose to lay Seth's body. It is a pretty place. The headstones are flat on the ground. So as I drive I just see the beautiful flowers of fall that others have placed on the graves of their loved ones. The trees are beautiful with fall leaves, the birds are singing and the frogs croaking. It is a place of serenity.
I pulled up and parked by the tree that would lead me down to Seth's spot. I brought my phone along and looked up the song "I will Carry You" on YouTube. As it played I let the tears flow onto the ground, this sacred spot to me. This is the place that holds the sweet body that once inhabited my body. The words of the song were so true once again. There were pictures I wanted to take of Seth. There were things I wanted to show him. There was a life I expected to share with him. I did carry this baby while his heart beat here. And I missed the sound of that beautiful heart. I missed the sweetness of his face. I began praying. I told God how broken my heart was that Seth was not with me. I cried out to the Lord. I told him how disappointed I was that Seth did not get to stay with me. I cried and cried. I needed Jesus to meet me here, right now. I cried out to the Lord at how I needed to know that Seth is ok in heaven. I needed Him to tell my precious baby just how much I loved him and how much I missed him. And I just cried. I let the tears release the built up grief. The grief have been learning to set aside to live in my life.
The song stopped. My prayer continued until I felt the comfort of the Lord. I was left there in the silence. I breathed in the crisp air. The coolness that strinkingly reminds me of holding my sweet boy. I felt a peace and much needed comfort. And as I always do when I visit Seth's grave I took a walk from his spot to the beautiful waterfall nearby. The water was not running today. But I still enjoyed being near it. I surprised a frog as I walked near who in turn surprised me as he jumped into the water. I stopped. I grabbed my camera phone and I began taking photos. I took pictures of the water, the reflection of the sun, the flowers. I heard the bees buzzing. And I began taking more pictures of the bees landing upon the flowers. The photo moment was a good focus for me. I had left my sadness at the grave for Jesus to hold in His hand. I felt my spirit lift as I looked through the lens of my camera phone and found beauty. God's promise is true He does make beauty again from ashes. And He is filled my heart with beauty.
I was ready to drive away. God had met me this mornng.
I got up and started my day, but I had a sadness that I just couldn't shake. The kids were dressed and ready. I drove them to school. I left the school alone and I felt the sadness rising in me and the tears began to stream down my face. I tried to hold them back, but it was time for them to be released once again. As I was driving home I could feel I needed to work through this grief. I found myself driving past my house and I knew just where I was heading. I would visit Seth's sweet resting place today. My mind began to plan out just how I would work through this sadness today. I had a plan. I would tend to this grief today or it would dominate me. As I drove into the cemetery I felt a peace rising. I know it may sound strange, but I feel blessed at the place we chose to lay Seth's body. It is a pretty place. The headstones are flat on the ground. So as I drive I just see the beautiful flowers of fall that others have placed on the graves of their loved ones. The trees are beautiful with fall leaves, the birds are singing and the frogs croaking. It is a place of serenity.
I pulled up and parked by the tree that would lead me down to Seth's spot. I brought my phone along and looked up the song "I will Carry You" on YouTube. As it played I let the tears flow onto the ground, this sacred spot to me. This is the place that holds the sweet body that once inhabited my body. The words of the song were so true once again. There were pictures I wanted to take of Seth. There were things I wanted to show him. There was a life I expected to share with him. I did carry this baby while his heart beat here. And I missed the sound of that beautiful heart. I missed the sweetness of his face. I began praying. I told God how broken my heart was that Seth was not with me. I cried out to the Lord. I told him how disappointed I was that Seth did not get to stay with me. I cried and cried. I needed Jesus to meet me here, right now. I cried out to the Lord at how I needed to know that Seth is ok in heaven. I needed Him to tell my precious baby just how much I loved him and how much I missed him. And I just cried. I let the tears release the built up grief. The grief have been learning to set aside to live in my life. 
The song stopped. My prayer continued until I felt the comfort of the Lord. I was left there in the silence. I breathed in the crisp air. The coolness that strinkingly reminds me of holding my sweet boy. I felt a peace and much needed comfort. And as I always do when I visit Seth's grave I took a walk from his spot to the beautiful waterfall nearby. The water was not running today. But I still enjoyed being near it. I surprised a frog as I walked near who in turn surprised me as he jumped into the water. I stopped. I grabbed my camera phone and I began taking photos. I took pictures of the water, the reflection of the sun, the flowers. I heard the bees buzzing. And I began taking more pictures of the bees landing upon the flowers. The photo moment was a good focus for me. I had left my sadness at the grave for Jesus to hold in His hand. I felt my spirit lift as I looked through the lens of my camera phone and found beauty. God's promise is true He does make beauty again from ashes. And He is filled my heart with beauty.
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