Grieving the Loss of the Living this Christmas
/Scrolling through Advent/Christmas posts of the past, I came across this one that I wrote in December 2013.
A lot has happened in the four years that have passed since that writing. My sweet little "Mommy" has been at home with Jesus for two years already. My dear mom-in-law Betty Jean has also been with Jesus for a year. My husband John and I are four years older (I hit the big 7-0!) ... and feeling it on and off.
But I have younger friends who are now taking their turn saying their "slow good-by" to loved ones. So as a help and as a sharing of their tears as they "walk through the valley of the shadow," I'm posting this again.
This is for you, sweet ones. The path is filled with griefs as well as joys, but also with the realization of how few the moments of life left to share. But our God walks through it all with you. He's the God of all comfort!
With prayers and love and my 2013 blog post,
Jan
December 2013
I'm grieving! I've started to say the long, slow good-bye! Watching my hero of a mom,* my "little Mommy," wither away...body and mind, in and out, on and off. It's hard to watch the fragile, strong life of who she has been fade more and more. Remembering Christmases past. Even songs heard in our home on Christmas Day...like "Here Comes Santa in a Red Canoe" and "Mele Kalikimaka." (My dad was a WWII South Pacific, Navy vet). The fun and enjoyment, dulled by Mom's inability to connect to the music that was so precious to all of us.
Are you experiencing grief this time of year? Maybe you have lost someone you love. Or maybe you are also saying a long, slow, "good-by." Weak, fragile, in and out, back and forth. Heart-rending!
Walking today, grabbing hold of grief with sobs, this song came on my ipod...comfort from the Lord of Heaven. Psalm 121...the Source of strength for us all.
May you be comforted too.
Total Praise
Lord I will life my eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace you give me In time of the storm
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you
Lord, I will lift my eyes to the hills
Knowing my help is coming from You
Your peace you give me In times of the storm
You are the source of my strength
You are the strength of my life
I lift my hands in total praise to you
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen
December 2013
*My tribute to my mom on her 85th birthday. She's now approaching 90!
