A Visitor From Heaven

      I thought I'd take a break from my story of pregnancy after loss to write about the things that are happening now, this is why the past couple of posts have not been what I expected they would be and why this one is not either.  I promise to return to my pregnancy story soon.  This past Sunday was my Johnny's 2nd Birthday. His birth feels to me like yesterday yet so long ago at the same time. My family and I planned to spend a quiet day together remembering our John Israel. In the morning, after eating breakfast, the kids and I baked a cake. I cried off and on throughout the day but was able to be joyful even in the midst of my grief. We baked and decorated his cake then we all went to the cemetery where we sang "Happy Birthday" blew out his candles and released 2 balloons with messages written to him. It was too cold to ask the kids to eat cake outside so we drove back home and ate lunch and his cake together. Evelyn and Ezra both said something to Johnny before we cut the cake. Our son Ezra - "I love you baby Johnny." Our daughter Evelyn - "I miss you baby John." It was precious. I had been praying about a way to honor my son at this time of year that he would be turning 2 and it seemed that on his Birthday, God would open a door that I did not expect to arrive so soon....

 

     I was contacted by multiple women concerning a mother who had learned of her baby's passing. She was almost 40 weeks gestation and she and her husband would soon face her child's stillbirth. I was introduced to her and spoke with her on the phone. Then, through the amazing works of God, I was asked to attend their stillbirth. Her story is not mine to share. It was not coincidence that this all happened on Johhny's Birthday and that I would be asked to support her in her stillbirth 2 days later. I have never felt someone's pain the way I have felt hers. I felt privileged and honored to be a part of her birth but nervous that I could not help her enough, nervous that I would not be ready for all of this. I  pray God used me and continues to do so. Her precious baby girl and my Johnny are being held in our Maker's arms, perfect, whole, wanting for nothing, teaching us all the meaning of "Hope"as they joyously wait to see their families again someday....

A visitor from Heaven
If only for a while
A gift of love to be returned
We think of you and smile

A visitor from Heaven
Accompanied by grace
Reminding of a better love
And of a better place

With aching hearts and empty arms
We send you with a name
It hurts so much to let you go
But we're so glad you came
We're so glad you came

A visitor from Heaven
If only for a day
We thank Him for the time He gave
And now it's time to say
We trust you to the Father's love
And to His tender care
Held in the everlasting arms
And we're so glad you're there
We're so glad you're there

With breaking hearts and open hands
We send you with a name
It hurts so much to let you go
But we're so glad you came
We're so glad you came

By: Twila Paris