Dear ones, hello again… It’s been a long season of silence and I have much to catch you up on, but today, for now, I feel compelled to share these thoughts that came together in this one picture.
We, the mamas, first joined together because cancer threatened to tear us apart, and so we became stronger as a unit than an individual – bound by empathy, understanding, and an outrageous number of texts every day.
We met last night across miles and life because cancer did it’s best to wreak havoc and it still lost out to love in the end.
[Take that, you wicked, despicable illness – there will be no more pain for her …EVER.]
We are torn, we are broken, we grieve and will do so until we stop breathing, but we are also strong, filled with joy, and connected in ways we never would be if not for our pain.
As we sat at the table and processed life around a giant box of tissues (because we are nothing if not prepared at all times), I heard the couple at the table next to ours worry for their adorable infant son lying in the carrier next to them – for there was a baby playgroup with no openings for their sweet boy. And here they sat, next to us… ha.
I do not seek to trivialize worry, but how I longed to get up and go over to them. So I will tell you what I would have said to them…
Stop. Just stop what you’re doing right now and breathe deep.
Of all the things that will weigh on you in your life, only a small, grasped, handful are truly important.
And I know life feels nicest when we control and compare and excel, but it’s a dirty, rotten lie because the best and most joyous moments are often the unexpected, the crazy, the totally out-of-our-hands insanity that eventually weaves its way into something beautiful.
So just accept what you’re given as the gift it is and will be.
Trust that God has a plan for the things that you cannot see or understand.
And learn to cherish the journey and those you meet along the way, because it and they will anchor you in ways you’ve never never dreamed.
Moment by moment.
[picture: Crazy Mama Cancer Warriors and Sisters of the Heart – Meghan, Lisa, Ellie, Sue – or, as you might know them better: Maddie’s mom, Mia’s mom, Chase’s mom, and Matthew’s mom]
Thank you so much for sharing this. We are praying for all of you – may the Lord’s amazing, everlasting love continue to triumph! He is our dear Saviour and our Prince of Peace.
When you have a moment, can you please tell me who went Home to be with the Lord. You mentioned, “there will be no more pain for her …” This reminded me of Revelation 21:4 – a verse of comfort that I love to meditate upon. May you feel God’s loving arms wrapped around you. With love and prayers, Pam H.
Pam, thank you so much for your encouragement. It is Chase’s friend, Mia who passed away on 10/25 and her memorial service was this past weekend. Here is a little piece I wrote about precious Mia – she was such a blessing to us.