Friday, November 26, 2010

Arrangements Made

Today, Ben, Ethan and I spent the morning in bed talking and cuddling.  I can't believe how blessed I am to have this little blonde bundle of energy!  He asked again why I don't have the baby in my belly anymore.  We talked to him about it again, simple and honest.  We asked if he wanted to send balloons to him like he did Shyla and of course he said yes.

We got it together and went to the funeral home to complete Jakin's arrangements.  You can go here to see the full arrangement details.  We decided to have a short visitation before the service.  Visitation will start at 2:00pm est on Sunday and the funeral will be at 3:00. 

The funeral home has been so great to us.  Working on every little detail.  When Shyla died, we pretty much made all the arrangements from the hospital.  I had a c-section and was in the hospital for three days.  They communicated with us well and were so kind to donate most of their services.  The one thing I regreted is I never saw the inside of the casket she was buried in.  I know that may sound morbid, but I always wondered what it looked like.  Today, that question was answered.  We are using the same small white casket and the funeral director let us see what it looked like.  How the small blue pillow will be placed and now I just won't have that question in my head any longer. 

When we got there, they had already pulled Shyla's file and looked at how we worded her obituary and had a draft of Jakin's typed up with the major changes already made.  He just made sure the surviving relatives were still the same and we worked out the details of the service.

We talked with him about a setting up a memorial fund. Not for us, but for helping begin a resource lending library for families who experience loss.  Donations made would be used to purchase books that can be checked out, like at a library.  I knew the funeral home was undergoing some renovations and the director was nice enough to show us around.  He said he was hoping to get something like that started and he even showed us the area where the lending library could be.  We talked about how it might be set up and about many other things, but over all, if there is such a thing as a good experience at a  funeral home, the staff and director here, made sure we had one.  They have went above and beyond what we should expect.

After we left the funeral home, we went to the florist.  Let me just add that this is a small town and word spreads quick.  The florist we are using is the same one we used with Shyla and the same one I purchased an empty saddle frame to make Shyla's Memorial Day arrangement.

Anyway, when we walked in, the owner came around the counter and hugged me.  She told me how sorry she was and how things just don't make sense.  Believe it or not, I was fine through the funeral home, but that is what did it, I did all I could to hold back tears.  She got me a chair ( she must have been able to tell I was sore by how gently I walked in the door).  We talked about what kind of flowers we wanted and she brought out some samples for us to look at.  We made our decisions and thanked her for her kindness.

We went back to my Mom's house to get Ethan and ended up eating Thanksgiving left overs and watching TV for a while.  We don't have cable or satelite or anything at home and I guess when we got infront of a TV and could just veg out for a while we took advantage of it.

My Mom's phone rang off the hook while we were there.  People checking on us, wanting to know what the arrangements were going to be.  My older brother calling from Oklahoma saying he was leaving his house in 20 minutes and was going to make the almost 14 hour drive by himself and my younger brother calling from where he is saying he thinks they will let him off work, but if not, he was going to call in sick.  Then him texting me saying "love you sis".

While what we had to do  today is something no parent should have to do...ever...not once...not twice...but ever...we can't help but realize how blessed we are to be surrounded with family and friends who love us and want nothing more but to help and be near us.

My thinking is still a little blurred and my body is more sore than yesterday, but I know what to expect the next few days and I know God is with us.


"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."  Job 1:21

11 comments:

Jennifer said...

Praying for you and your family! I know God will provide the supernatural strength to get through the days, weeks, and months ahead. I am just so sorry you have to be in this place again.

Stephanie said...

thinking of you all the time!

rebecca said...

So sorry, you're right no parent should ever have to go through this kind of loss and certainly not more than once. Hope you feel surrounded by love and support at this unimaginable time.

Elainna said...

Praying for you, Ben, Ethan, Shayla, abd Jakin.

Heather said...

Continuing to pray for you, friend. I remember with Madelyn, it was the trip to the florist that did it for me, too. I'm just so sorry you are doing this twice. And I'm so amazed by how you use your tragedies to help others. You are one amazing, Christian woman.

Andrea said...

Mattie, I'm so glad that you have so many people around to be with you. That is such a blessing for you. I'm so sorry that you had to go through this again, and you are right, nobody should ever have to. I've been thinking of you and your family these past few days and will continue to do so. Many hugs, XOXO

Jill said...

Mattie, I know I don't know you, but I have been following your blog for a while and have been praying for you, your family, and Jakin. I sit here sobbing for you and am praying God continues to give you strength. Just know there are people all over the country praying for you.

Holly said...

Praying and thinking of you today

Annie said...

So sorry you are going through this for a second time. I lost two little babies in a row, too and there are just no words that are adequate when your grief is so great. Praying for you.

Searching said...

I am devastated for you, for this to be happening again to your sweet family. I don't have the words to express how sorry I am. You will be in my prayers.

Marianne said...

I am stopping by from LFCA to tell you how very sorry I am for your loss.