Thursday, December 5, 2013

Saying goodbye to Winter and more

eggs from Trovatos
Packing away woollens
Tree of Life
flowers for St Francis day
Misty morning
I have been holding off posting my weekly portraits of Ignatius, because it didn't seem right to me to post pictures of him in September (and now October and November too!), without posting something about his little brother/sister.* In September we celebrated Ignatius' first birthday and had him dedicated at church along with lots of his little friends. A few days later we learned that we had lost our second child who was still in my womb. I am thankful we were able to celebrate life first, and not have Iggy's celebration crowded by the impending sadness. I'm also grateful that we had time to process and grieve for the little one who will never grow up with us, not in this life at least. We chose a name we both love. Joshua dug in to the hard, clay soil. We buried the fragile body under the tree of life, used our hands to cover it with compost and soil and read a prayer. I made a cross from sticks and vines and it warms my heart to visit and find a fresh flower which Joshua has placed on his morning walk. 

I have sailed through life with so few scratches that this shook me. It opened me up, in an exposing but hopeful way. It was a nudge to move me to living more presently; to being thankful, grateful, prayerful. To be more aware of the hidden grief others carry. Having faith in a loving, Creator, Father God, bigger and beyond our pain and circumstance has certainly been a significant part of our healing. As has a gracious and kind community.

*(In this instance in particular, I have had so many reservations about what to say in this space. I am ever conscious of both the richness and the strangeness of this virtual community and not wanting to overshare. My hope in writing is simply to be real about life in all of it's seasons.)

3 comments:

  1. Beautiful words Shazzy. Very honest and brave. You are incredible. Love you! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh friend, sending much love north to you and your family. No words to express the sadness you must feel at that beautiful life lived too short with you. I am inspired and humbled at your words and learning to trust on Him all the more. Em xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so sorry - sending all our love for you & yours. I second Catie - you are incredible. Much love xox

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting and for your comments and thoughts, it is really lovely to hear from you.