Angel Unaware

Oh the longing we both had
to be a mommy and a dad
We put our hopes and dreams in you
He hoped for pink, I dreamed of blue

But for you God had a different plan
One we may never understand
We were visited by an angel
Though we didn't know it then

You were the answer to our prayer...
Our Angel Unaware

We barely got to say hello
Before we had to let you go
God breathed your name and called you home
So briefly here, so quickly gone

But in the stillness of the night
My empty arms still hold you tight
We were visited by an angel
Though we didn't know it then

You were the answer to our prayer...
Our Angel Unaware

In my mind I see you running
Chasing bees and butterflies
Soft hair gently blowing
Healthy cheeks, laughing eyes

In the quietness of the morning
When the mist hangs in the air
I hold you close within my heart...
My Angel Unaware

How can I miss someone so much
I barely had the chance to touch
Yet as you grew inside of me
I learned how strong a love could be

I knew you for a lifetime
I'll love you all of mine
We were visited by an angel
Though we didn't know it then

You were the answer to our prayer...
Our Angel Unaware

Author Unknown

Because of you, I love a little more.

Because of you, I take time

to give an extra kiss good-bye.

Because of you, I have a new favorite song.

Because of you, there may be dust

on the window sill,

and I don’t care.

Because of you, I live today,

Before I worry about tomorrow.

Because of you, I don’t give up quite as fast.

Because of you, I still believe in rainbows.

Because of you, now I can help or listen more.

Because of you, today, I am me.

-Eileen Wernsman,

Loving Arms Newsletter

It matters not how long a star shines what is remembered is the brightness of the light.

If Tears Could Build A Stairway

Author Unknown

If tears could build a stairway

and memories were a lane

I could walk right up to Heaven

and bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken

no time to say good-bye

you were gone before I knew it

and only God knows why.

My heart's still active in sadness

and secret tears still flow

what it meant to lose you

no one can ever know.

But now I know you want us

to mourn for you no more

to remember all the happy times

life still has much in store

Since you'll never be forgotten

I pledge to you today

a hallowed place within my heart

is where you'll always stay.

"I'll lend for you a little time,
        a child of mine", He said.
For you to love the while he lives,
        and mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years,
        or twenty-two or three.
But will you 'til I call him back,
       take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charm to gladden you,
     and should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories
     as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
    since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there,
   I want this child to learn.

I've looked this wide world over,
   in my search for teachers true,

And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes,
   I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
   not think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call,
   and take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
  "Dear Lord, Thy will be done".
For all the joy thy child shall bring,
   the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
   we'll love him while we may,
For all the happiness we've known
   forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
   much sooner than we planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
   and try to understand.

Quilting ~ Grieving...

Taking time to piece together
jagged parts and various patterns
to make a whole...

The quilt...
With time, work and patience
is ready for its new life’s work...

In grief...
Intense pain is worked through
as we carve a "new" life pathway

Quilting ~ Grieving...
Both require skills, energy, focus,
commitment and time...

Marcia McGinnis

In the Garden

I woke this Easter morn

to find your stone

still in place

It had not been rolled away-

no joyful resurrection for us yet,

my sweet one.

Still, I felt the stone

upon my heart

did shift a bit,

enough to let His Light shine in

and warm

my winter soul.

By Karen Nelson

My Dad is a Survivor

My dad is a survivor too...
which is no surprise to me.

He's always been like a lighthouse
that helps you cross a stormy sea.

But, I walk with my dad each day
to lift him when he's down.

I wipe the tears he hides from others.
He cries when no one's around.

I watch him sit up late at night,
with my picture in his hand.

He cries as he tries to grieve alone,
and wishes he could understand.

My dad is like a tower of strength.
He's the greatest of them all~!

But there's times when he needs to cry...
Please be there when he falls.

Hold his hand or pat his shoulder...
and tell him it's okay.

Be his strength when he's sad,
Help him mourn in his own way.

Now, as I watch over my precious dad
from the Heaven's up above...

I'm so proud that he's a survivor...
And, I can still feel his love~!

Author Unknown

I Resolve . . .

by Sue Friedeck

I resolve to be better in this coming year. . .

The ache of my empty arms has given way to quiet resignation.

I resolve to be better in this coming year. . .

I think of my children and smile;

I feel them hovering close and near.

I resolve to be better in this coming year. . .

I know I will never forget them;

I forgive those whose memories of them are not so apparent to me;

I choose this because my children's existence does not depend on others.

I resolve to be better in this coming year. . .

To be more caring, more compassionate, more tolerant, more understanding;

I want to follow the path my life has taken and still make a difference in others' lives;

No other person can walk my path, feel my pain or choose not to despair;

No other person can make me a better person, only I can do so.

I resolve to be better in this coming year. . .

I thank God for my husband, my family, my friends and my children;

I thank God for the love I feel for each and every one of them.

I thank God for the strangers who enter my life with lessons for me to learn;

I thank God for new insights and memories that do not fade;

I thank God for peace to the internal turmoil I have felt.

I choose to give thanks for all that I have, rather than despair over all that I have lost. . .

I resolve to be better in this coming year. . .

Little one, Little one

Little one,little one
Where have you gone?
Your going has darkened
The brightest dawn.
Why did you leave us
so soon, so soon?
Where can we look for you?
Over the moon?
On butterflies wings?
In the heart of a roe?
Who knows,
who knows
Where a little one goes?
Where I have gone,
I am not so small.
My soul is as wide.

As the world is tall.

Wherever you look,
You will find me there-

In the heart of a rose,
In the heart of a prayer.
On butterflies wings,
On wings of my own, To

you, I'm gone,

But I'm never alone-
I'm over the moon.
I am home.

Written by
Jim Howard

An Angel never dies

Don't let them say I wasn't born
That something stopped my heart
I felt each tender squeeze you gave
I've loved you from the start.

Although my body you can't hold
It doesn't mean I'm gone
This world was worthy, not of me
God chose that I move on.

I know the pain that drowns your soul
What you are forced to face
You have my word I'll fill your arms
Someday we will embrace.

You'll hear that it was "meant to be,
God doesn't make mistakes"
But that won't soften your worst blow
Or make your heart not ache.

I'm watching over all you do
Another child you'll bear
Believe me when I say to you
That I am always there.

There'll come a time, I promise you
When you will hold my hand
Stroke my face and kiss my lips
And then you'll understand.

Although I've never breathed your air
Or gazed into your eyes
That doesn't mean I never was

An Angel Never Dies.

-Unknown

Beginnings

A new baby is on the way.

Not just any baby.

It is your little brother or sister.

A part of you.

I am so afraid,

And Excited

And angry

And sad.

Afraid of being hurt again.

Excited that I will have another Child,

To give my love to

Angry that you are gone

And sad,

Every moment wishing you were here

with us.

All of these emotions

Sometimes make me feel crazy.

But I know I am not.

I am just a grieving mother.

Missing what should have been.

-1998 by Joanne Cacciatore

Dreams of Nightmares

What others take for granted

has been denied to me.

My innocience has been shattered,

my dreams have been taken away.

When others become heavy with child,

They smile, they plan, they dream, they glow.

When I become aware of life within,

I panic, I cry, I wait in fear.

For the pain to start and the life to fade

Away....

While others dream of pink or blue,

My nightmares are painted in red and black.

I talk only in whispers of

Ultrasounds, tests, and shots.

Praying and hoping that my baby will not die.

-By: Teresa C. March 1999