GO!
Good-Bye
I've gotten really good at saying good-bye over the past few years. My husband and I were just talking about this very fact the other night. Ethan will be turning 5 years old in May (Oh My Goodness!!!) and during his life we have had to say a lot of Good-Byes.
The first good-bye was when my sister (well, technically, half-sister) passed away just two days after learning we were pregnant with Ethan.
Then, just four short weeks after Ethan's birth, my Grandfather had a very sudden stroke and passed away just a few days later on 7-7-07, just 7 days from his 77th birthday. I will admit, this was the hardest good-bye I had said up until this point in my life.
Then September 2, 2009 was the day our 2nd child and only daughter was born quietly. We said good-bye to Shyla Joy before she was born. It would take lots longer than 5 minutes to describe this good-bye.
Just 14 months after that, in November of 2010, our third child, Jakin, developed a heart condition and passed away just days before Thanksgiving. Again, nothing I have ever experienced before is harder than saying good-bye to your baby, no matter how tiny they are.
2011 was a easier year as far as good-byes. The only thing we said good-bye to was the idea of having any more biological children.
Now, just a few months into 2012, we have said good-bye to my uncle and my father within a week of each other.
Then we said good-bye to one of the sweetest baby faces I have ever seen as we placed him back in his birth mother's arms after six days.
I guess the good thing about all of these good-bye's is that they are not permanent. As Ethan said when we released balloons at Shyla's graveside service, "See you later!!!"
Well...my five minutes are up!
7 comments:
That's a lot of goodbyes for you. I'm glad you can find the good in it though. My thoughts are with you. *prayers* And happy birthday to your Ethan!
Goodbyes that are of the permanent sort are much tougher. Thank you for sharing.
My heart is breaking.
I rest in the fact that we have the hope and peace of Christ and that you know that. Cling to Him as you hold on to each other ... and say farewell, rather than good-bye. You will meet again.
Blessings,
Felecia
Oh Mattie, you had more than your share of grief. I am so sorry. The grace you have shown thru it all is truly inspiring. Continuing to pray for your lovely family.
God is good even in our goodbyes, but oh how hard they are. Shedding tears for the losses you have faced in the last few years and praising God for the hope we have in him...
Keep up the God work.
Heartwrenching. The longer we live on planet earth, the more often the goodbyes come. You have had so many in such a short time.
such heartbreaking goodbyes :(
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