My grandmother, Geraldine Ruth Woodbridge (eternal be her memory), whose youngest child died as a young girl on Easter Sunday in the mid-1950s, wrote the following for someone (we don't know for whom) who must have suffered the loss of a child, as well. She then published it in a lenten collection of writings from members of Aldersgate Methodist Church in Tulsa, OK. I do hope it speaks how I can't to baby Fergus' family and to baby Jamie's. Forgive me, as the note is in her handwriting, and one part I was unable to read completely clearly.
"Words will never express or help at this time, but there are some of us who have been along this pathway and do understand.
"The long days of hope and despair. The day-to-day clinging and releasing of our loved one.
"We go through the gamut of prayers, first for miracles, then strength to get through each day, each month, each year; next comes prayers for ___ pain of pain, and finally, 'Thy will be done.'
"Still the grief is there so much more than you thought possible after praying 'Thy will be done' for so long. Do not let anyone tell you "Time heals all wounds." It doesn't. All it does is give you time to live with it and with God's strength and love you go on living for the living and believing God had a plan for taking them. You see, I do understand, as I have also lost a child."
3 comments:
Lord have Mercy, Lord have Mercy, Lord have Mercy.
And Memories Eternal.
This won't help anyone (words rarely do), but here it goes:
Wisdom 3:1 The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6 As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 4:7 But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest. 8 For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. 9 But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. 10 He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. 11 Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12 For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. 13 He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14 For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. 15 This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen. 16 Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous. 17 For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him, and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety. 18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn. .
Thank you for sharing.
My prayers for you and for all; Lord, have mercy.
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