Saturday's Sayings - Mother's Day Messages of Love from Across the Veil…

Saturday's Sayings

 Mother's Day Messages of Love from Across the Veil… 

Messages of Love

To, and From, 

Our Child in Heaven…

Parent to Child in Heaven:

Now that you are gone, 

my heart is broken.

But because you were once here,

it is completely filled with Love.

~~~~~

Child in Heaven to Parent:

Don't weep at my grave,

For I am not there,

I've a date with a butterfly

To dance in the air.

I'll be singing in the sunshine,

Wild and free,

Playing tag with the wind,

While I'm waiting for thee.

~Angels of the Heart

Picture, Author Unknown

(This particular writing makes me tear up; I can just see my Merry Katherine saying this…)

~~~~~

 Parent to Child in Heaven...

I heard your voice in the wind today

and I turned to see your face;

The warmth of the wind caressed me

as I stood silently in place.

I felt your touch in the sun today

as its warmth filled the sky;

I closed my eyes for your embrace

and my spirit soared high.

I saw your eyes in the window pane

as I watched the falling rain;

It seemed as each raindrop fell

it quietly said your name.

I held you close in my heart today

it made me feel complete;

You may have died...but you are not gone

you will always be a part of me.

As long as the sun shines...

the wind blows...

the rain falls...

You will live on inside of me forever

for that is all my heart knows.

~ Bonnie Breuilly-Pike, 

"Under Orion's Sky...You Live" from "Dancing with the Spirits of Shadowplay"

"Holding Hands" painting by Judy Mackey

~~~~~

Child in Heaven to Parent:

I'm no longer by your side,

But there's no need to weep

I've left sweet recollections

I'm hoping you will keep.

Eternal joy and memories

stay in our hearts forever,

strengthening our special bond

That parting cannot sever.

And if times of loneliness

bring sorrow and dismay,

don't despair, for I am there

Just a memory away.

~ Rita S. Beer

Painting by Claire Clements

~~~~~

 Parent to Child in Heaven...

When I close my eyes

You are here

Your charisma, your cheer, your tenderness

I feel you here

When I close my eyes

You are with me

Your spirit, your beauty, your charm

I feel you with me

When I close my eyes

You are in my arms

Your warmth, your compassion, your love

I feel you in my arms

No matter how far apart

Nor what the circumstance

I feel you here with me, in my arms - always

When I close my eyes

~ W. Jason Duncan 

Painting by Hyatt Moore

~~~~~

Child in Heaven to Parent:

ALWAYS WITH YOU

Your heart may be heavy and aching,

Now that I'm no longer here.

But, though you may shed many tears,

Let memories banish your fear.

My arms are no longer around you.

My lips cannot speak of my love.

But, I'm with you in spirit each day,

As I look down from Heaven above.

The house may be silent without me.

It doesn't mean I can't be there.

And, every night that you sleep,

Our love, in your dreams, we still share.

As you continue, alone on earth,

I'll be with you each step of the way.

I can still be the strength that you need,

To carry you through each new day.

Although, I know you can't see me,

Our spirits are joined as before.

So, whenever you feel uplifted,

Know it's me just loving you more.

In Heaven, we're given a gift

To still tend to the ones left behind.

So, smile when you think of me.

I remain in your heart and your mind.

~ Marian Jones

Painting, Author Unknown

~~~~~

 Parent to Child in Heaven...

I remember everything about you

Your voice, your smile, your touch

The way you walked, the way you talked

The way you looked at me, meant so much

I remember all the words you said to me

Some funny, some kind, some wise

All of the things you did for me

I see now with different eyes

I remember every moment we shared

Seems like only yesterday

Or maybe it was eons ago

It's really hard to say

You are gone from me now

But one thing they can't take away

Your memory resides inside my heart

And lights up my darkest days

~ Author Unknown

"Mother and Child" painting by Claire Szalay

~~~~~

Child in Heaven to Parent:

You think I've gone, that I am dead, and life has lost it's will,

But look around, I am right there, living with you still

I watch your tears, I feel your pain - I see the things you do

I weep as well, each time you cry, my soul, it lives with you

It gives such joy to hear you laugh, and do the things you do

And when you smile o'er by gone days, I smile right with you too

For we're still one, just you and me, one mind, one soul, one being

Walking forward into life, though only you are seen

And in the stillness of the night, when the pain it really starts

Stretch out a little with your mind and draw me to your heart

For I am always right in there, always by your side

For you have been, all my life's days, my joy, my love, my pride.

~ Author Unknown

"Souls Journey" painting by Janice Chrysler

~~~~~

Parent to Child in Heaven:

It seems like only yesterday

I rocked you on my knee,

With dreams about the future and

What you were going to be.

You were so bright and happy

Such a precious little boy,

You gave your love to everyone

And filled our hearts with joy.

Strangers would admire you

And stop to say hello,

"He'll break a lot of hearts," they said,

"In twenty years or so."

But less than twenty years from then,

What they said came true,

As we were forced against our will

To say goodbye to you.

A life so short and unfulfilled,

With so much left to go,

"Why, oh why?" we ask ourselves,

When we all loved you so.

Life shows us many options,

But whichever path we take

The destination's still the same

Whatever choice we make.

So many questions flood our minds,

"What if, and Why and How?"

If we had done things differently,

Would you still be with us now?

I don't know what the lesson was

That you were sent here to learn,

But now your purpose is fulfilled

It's time for you to return.

When I hear the phone ring

I expect to hear you say,

"Alright Mom? What're you doing,

Can I come 'round today?"

But you don't need to ask now,

You're with us every day,

Within our hearts, our minds, our souls,

Your memory will stay.

No fear, no pain or sorrow,

Can touch you anymore

But the love you've left behind,

Will live with us forever more.

~ Jan Andersen

"Mother and Child" painting by Karen Reitsma

~~~~~

Child in Heaven to Parent:

...But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.

I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before…

When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;

I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind…

There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;

But together we can do it by taking one day at a time…

And when its time for you to go...from that body to be free,

Remember you're not going...you're coming here to me.

~ Ruth Ann Mahaffey

Painting, Author Unknown

~~~~~

Parent to Child in Heaven...

So go and run free with the angels

Dance around the golden clouds

For the Lord has chosen you to be with (H)im

And we should feel nothing but proud

Although (H)e has taken you from us

And our pain a lifetime will last

Your memory will never escape us

But make us glad for the time we did have

Your face will always be hidden

Deep inside our hearts

Each precious moment you gave us

Shall never, ever depart

So go and run free with the angels

As they sing so tenderly

And please be sure to tell them

To take good care of you for me

~ Author Unknown

"Angel Light" painting by Marina Petro

(Capitalizations of Deity pronouns, mine)

Thank you to The Far Side of the Rainbow/Facebook 
for all of the writings and paintings used today!

You may find the individual entries below:



#1)
https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1075743665801076/?type=3&theater


#2)

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1067050356670407/?type=3&theater

#3)

~Angels of the Heart

Picture, Author Unknown

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1047186231990153/?type=3&theater

#4)

~ Bonnie Breuilly-Pike, "Under Orion's Sky...You Live" from "Dancing with the Spirits of Shadowplay"

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1041673662541410/?type=3&theater

"Holding Hands" painting by Judy Mackey

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/940952392613538/?type=3&theater

#5)

~ Rita S. Beer

Painting by Claire Clements

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1022273421148101/?type=3&theater

#6)

~ W. Jason Duncan 

Painting by Hyatt Moore

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1009616129080497/?type=3&theater

#7)

~ Marian Jones

Painting, Author Unknown

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1028883013820475/?type=3&theater

#8)

~ Author Unknown

"Mother and Child" painting by Claire Szalay

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/997224710319639/?type=3&theater

#9)

~ Author Unknown

"Souls Journey" painting by Janice Chrysler

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/967070473335063/?type=3&theater

#10)

Writing: ~ Jan Andersen

"Mother and Child" painting by Karen Reitsma

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/986539304721513/?type=3&theater

#11)

Writing: ~Ruth Ann Mahaffey

Painting, Author Unknown

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1075739515801491/?type=3&theater

#12)
Writing: ~Author Unknown
"Angel Light" painting by Marina Petro

https://www.facebook.com/farsideoftherainbow/photos/a.265765910132193.59124.259827837392667/1008157489226361/?type=3&theater

Saturday's Sayings - Grief's River: "Swimming in Hope's Channels"

Saturday's Sayings

Grief's River: 

"Swimming in Hope's Channels"

Missing someone can get easier every
day because even though it's one day 
further from the last time you saw
your loved one, it's one day closer to
the next time you will.


~~~

You want to wash yourself 

in earth, in rocks and grass

What are you supposed to do

with all this loss? 

 ~Margaret Atwood

~picture, via In Memory of Lost Loved Ones

~~~~~

We come at last to the

dark and enter in.

We are given bodies

newly made out of their absence

from one another in the light

of the ordinary day.

We come to the space between

ourselves, the narrow

doorway, and pass through

into the land of the

wholly loved.

~ Wendell Berry

~picture, via Grieving Mothers

~~~~~

There are many things in life 
that no one understands,

like why a life so very young 
can slip right through our hands.

One moment life is perfect 
and the next it falls apart,

leaving us with nothing 
but an eternally aching heart.

Our souls cry out in agony 
amidst the suffering and despair.

We feel the pain and scream, 
"It's just not fair!"

Spirits are now shattered. 
Hearts will never be the same.

We grasp at straws and seek to find 
the one who is to blame.

Horrific as our life now seems, 
one thing remains quite true.

Our little ones have now been freed 
to do things angels do.

They can't recall the suffering 
of those last days they were here.

They remember not the sorrow, 
the hurt, nor the fear.

There are no tears in Heaven. 
No more sorrow. Only Joy.

Heaven is filled with peals of laughter 
of each little girl and boy.

We can only try to imagine, 
in spite of all earthly wrongs,

our little angels are learning 
the words to the Angels' songs.

Amidst the children's laughter 
and their Heavenly play,

there's also more important work 
going on there today.

God is building mansions, 
never taking time to sleep,

for Reunions are being planned, 
yes, even as we weep.

The children gather around Him 
and listen to Him speak,

for He has all the answers 
that they curiously seek.

He tells them for a time, 
in Heaven, they must wait,

and then they can greet us 
at Heaven's pearly gate.

~via In Memory of Lost Loved Ones

~~~~~

"It is frequently said that the grief of a Grieving Mother is the most intense grief known. When a child dies, parents feel that a part of them has died, that a vital and core part of them has been ripped away. The grief caused by their child's death is not only painful but profoundly disorienting.....children are not supposed to die. These parents are forced to confront an extremely painful and stressful paradox; they are faced with a situation in which they must deal both with the grief caused by their child's death and with their inherent need to continue to live their own lives as fully as possible. Thus, Grieving parents must deal with the contradictory burden of wanting to be free of this overwhelming pain and yet needing it as a reminder of the child who died.

"Grieving parents continue to be parents of the child who died. They will always feel the empty place in their hearts caused by the child's death; they were, and always will be, the loving father and mother of that child. Yet, these parents have to accept that they will never be able to live their lives with or share their love openly with the child. So they must find ways to hold on to the memories. Many Grieving parents come to learn that 'memories are the precious gifts of the heart...[that they need] these memories and whispers, to help create a sense of inner peace, a closeness.'"

~via Grieving Mothers

~~~~~

My grief is like a river---
I have to let it flow,

But I myself determine 
Just where the banks will go.

Some days the current takes me 
In waves of guilt and pain,

But there are always quiet pools 
Where I can rest again.

I crash on rocks of anger---
My faith seems faint indeed,

But there are other swimmers 
Who know that what I need

Are loving hands to hold me 
When the waters are too swift, 

And someone kind to listen 
When I just seem to drift.

Grief's river is a process 
Of relinquishing the past

By swimming in Hope's channels 
I'll reach the shore at last.

~via In Memory of Lost Loved Ones

~~~~~

In life, it doesn't matter if you're happy or in grief;

your angels are always watching you, 

giving your heart (the) comfort of God's love.

~via TOuGhtS tHoTs N sImPly ThOuGhTs 

~~~~~

~via Beth's Photos

~~~~~

If I knew it would be the last time 
that I'd see you fall asleep,

I would tuck you in more tightly 
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time 
that I see you walk out the door,

I would give you a hug and kiss 
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time 
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,

I would video tape each action and word 
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, 
I could spare an extra minute or two

to stop and say "I love you," 
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do,

If I knew it would be the last time 
I would be there to share your day,

well I'm sure you'll have so many more, 
so I can let just this one slip away,

For surely there's always tomorrow 
to make up for an oversight,

and we always get a second chance 
to make everything right;

There will always be another day 
to say our "I love you's,"

And certainly there's another chance 
to say our "Anything I can do's?"

But just in case I might be wrong, 
and today is all I get,

I'd like to say how much I love you 
and I hope we never forget,

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, 
young or old alike,

And today may be the last chance you get 
to hold your loved one tight...

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, 
why not do it today?

For if tomorrow never comes, 
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time 
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss

and you were too busy to grant someone, 
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, 
whisper in their ear,

Tell them how much you love them 
and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say "I'm sorry," 
"Please forgive me," 
"Thank you," 
or, "It's okay."

And if tomorrow never comes, 
you'll have no regrets about today.

~In Memory of Lost Loved Ones

~~~~~

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free

I'm following the path God has laid you see.

I took His hand when I heard His call

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way.

I found peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void

Then fill it with remembered joys,

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

O yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

~via In Memory of Lost Loved Ones

Title Picture, via In Memory of Lost Loved Ones

Saturday's Sayings - "Things Never Get Back to the Way They Were..."

"There's no tragedy in life like the death of a child;

Things never get back to the way they were."

~President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Saturday's Sayings

"Things Never Get Back 

to The Way They Were..."

A mother NEVER gets over losing her child.

It doesn't matter how long it's been,

how old her child was when they died,

or the reason they were taken away,

GRIEF does not ever expire.

Never tell a mother whose child DIED

to move on, get over it, or "be happy"

that their child is in Heaven now.

You are "sick" of hearing about it?

She has to live with it EVERY single day.

~iamamothertoanangel

~~~~~

Your absence has gone through me 

Like thread through a needle. 

Everything I do is stitched with its color.

~W. T. Merwin, "Separation"

~~~~~

Rules for Dealing With The Bereaved Parent

If they have other children do not tell them to be grateful for them. They are, but they would have liked to have kept them all.

Do not tell them they can have more children. Some can't and those that do, are not replacing one human being with another.

Do not tell a parent who lost a child before birth, at least you did not get to know them. We knew them and loved them their whole life.

Do not tell them to get over it. They are never getting over it. How long would it take you to stop missing your child? How long would it take you to forget your child?

Do lend your ear and shoulder.

Do talk to them about their child. It may bring tears to their eyes, 

But it will warm their hearts that someone else is thinking about their child.

Do call them on their child's birthday or anniversary of their death.

No matter how long ago it was these days are always hard for them.

~via bornstill

~~~~~

Note to Self:

I am doing 

the best I can

with what I have

in this moment

And that is all I can expect 

of anyone, including me!

~~~~~

Lord,

I can't say it in words...

Can you please just listen through my heart.

~~~~~

We feel like screaming, pulling our hair out, punching our pillow, or throwing dishes against the wall. Sometimes we're too weak to cry, so we make muffled sounds that don't even seem human. Other times we walk around like a zombie that hasn't slept for weeks on end. No, we're not crazy. We are a parent whose child has died, and we have lost all sense of purpose and no longer do we know how to live life. Don't pull away from us like we're a freak in a circus. Please stand by our side and simply be there. God knows, we just need somebody to stick by our side through this horrible thing called child loss.

~Silent Grief - Child Loss Support, September 28

~~~~~

"It's OK if you don't know

how much more you can handle.

It's fine if you don't know 

what to do next,

Eventually, you'll let go

of how things should be

and start to see possibilities

based on reality.

It's YOUR life ~

Grasp the steering wheel

and force yourself to pay attention

to where you're going.

~Wendy Keller

~~~~~

Remember Me

Remember me with smiles not tears,

for all the joy through all the years.

Recall the closeness that was ours,

A love as "sweet" as fragrant flowers.

Don't dwell on thoughts that cause you pain.

We'll see each other once again.

I am at peace...try to believe,

It was my time...I had to leave.

But "what a view" I have from here,

I see your face, I feel you near.

I follow you throughout the day.

You're not alone along the way.

And when God calls you... you will be,

Right by my side...right here with me.

Till then, I'll wait by Heaven's door,

We'll be united... evermore!

~via Grieving Mother, Jill Compton

~~~~~

REPLY TO "A LETTER FROM HEAVEN"

I received your Letter from Heaven. It made the teardrops fall.

But knowing you're with God above, Sweet memories, I will recall.

I know that you are with me, For I feel your presence near,

And if I listen closely, Your voice I then can hear.

I know you're watching o'er me, As you promised you would do,

And when I feel so saddened, It's your letter that sees me through.

When I lay in bed at night, The day's chores put to flight,

I truly feel your presence, Like a warm and glowing light.

I've tried to help others, Who are in sorrow and in pain.

And now I am contented, My day was not in vain.

I'll lend a hand When someone is feeling low,

I'll pray for them and be here, 'Till on their way they go.

And when it' time for me to go, To join you in heaven high,

My wings I shall spread wide To my home up in the sky.

~~~~~

I've been called many things in my life, but the one thing I've been called that affects me the most is Mommy.

~B.J. Karrer, 2012 of "Grieving Mothers"