What a great day!
It has been a wonderful Mother's Day so far. I actually got my gifts from Lily and Ann Catherine on Friday. Lily made me a sweet, framed poem with her little hand prints at the bottom. Ann Catherine also gave me a card with a sweet poem about being a mom, with her hand prints on the front. She also made me a ceramic ornament with her hand print on it. I will cherish those gifts as long as I live.
Chris gave me a gift card to a local spa, which I couldn't be happier about! I have been dreaming of getting a massage for some time now, so I can't wait to get that.
But you know what? My best Mother's Day gift didn't come from Chris. It came from God, when he chose me to be the mother of three such amazing little girls: Melissa, Ann Catherine and Lily.
Lily, who honestly just lights up the room and melts my heart with her smile. Ann Catherine, who started the world at such a disadvantage and literally saved her mother's life by refusing to give up during those 68 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. And Melissa who, after I had complications, hung on against the odds inside her mommy's tummy for seven more weeks, thereby giving Ann Catherine a chance to live.
I can't express the words I feel for my daughters. Today I asked Ann Catherine, "Do you know how much your mommy loves you?" and she answered "No." I said, "You're right and you never will truly know, because I can't even put it into words."
I had some rough moments today, thinking of Melissa and missing her so much on this special day. Church was particularly hard. After church we went to Publix, and when I got Ann Catherine out of her car seat, she put her arms around my neck and her head on my shoulder, and just hugged me. I felt it was God's way of sending me a hug from Melissa on this Mother's Day. It was her way of telling me, "I'm okay, Mommy. And I love you."
When I pray, I often ask God to let Melissa know she has a mother on Earth who loves her so very much. I believe she does know that.
Especially today.
2 comments:
((hugs)) I can relate to the loss of a child. I lost my sweet punky girl, Kyla Theresa at tender age of 26 mos in Oct 2004 (pool drowning) Today, I have two more wonderful children. Konor Chance (named after a lil boy I knew that passed at only a few mos old, and for getting a 2nd chance to have a child.)
My daughter, Zilya Faye has just now turned 26 mos herself, and it can be hard at times.
Also, I lost my own mother in 1996 to breast cancer. About a month ago while on spring break, our home was broken into and some of her jewelery was stolen. So, instead of replacing it, I decided to get a tattoo in honor of her and for mother's day. I had it done at Ink spot by a nice woman, Kat who is a breast cancer survivior. I now have a wonderful pink ribbon on my arm, with "Mom" and "1947-1996" written around it.
Mother's day can be trying, and there was a time when I once said, "I am a motherless child and a childless mother."
I will never get my mom or daughter back, but there is not a day that doesn't go by that I don't say their names as I carry my children up to bed and we say good night to their pictures on the wall. They will always know her their nana is and who their big sister is...as I'm sure you're precious girls will always know about their sweet sister Melissa.
I don't feel that I have the words to adequately express to you how much your post touched my heart. I am so very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing two people so very important to me. I pray that God continues to give you the strength you need. And I do agree that it's up to us to make sure our children always know how special their sister was. Thanks for sharing your story.
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