Cheryl Haggard
11-30-2005, 06:43 PM
Tammy, Charlene, Erica, Scott and all other parents,
I found this poem by flipping through my very first Bereavement Magazine-Titled Living with Loss-Holiday issue... www.bereavementmag.com (http://www.bereavementmag.com)
With the Holiday season upon us, all of us are reminded of what should have been. None of us ever planned on the death of our babies. And I know that all of us have at one point, thought what our lives would be like now, if we had never had or known our babies...Would you trade your memories of your baby, for all the pain and heartache to be taken away? I would never, ever consider it...During this Holiday season, try to see the gifts we have all been given. (even if just for this short time) Spend time with your family and friends.
I have put up a stocking for Maddux, (the kids can write personal notes to him in heaven, and stuff them in there) hung his first Christmas ornament, and even had our yearly family ornament made with his name included. Nobody batted an eye, or asked why...This is just the thing to do. Doing this, has helped me prepare for Christmas. Helped me get into the spirit of the holidays, especially for my other children. Maddux is all around us...This is such a comforting feeling.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone this year. Christmas has a new meaning to me and my family.
Please share your thoughts and ideas with the upcoming holidays with all of us here at the NILMDTS forum...
((Holiday Hugs)) Cheryl
If I Had Never Known You...
By: Barbara S. Clements
reprinted with permission from Bereavement Publishing, Inc (888-604-4673)
If God were to say to me
I can take your pain away
All you have to give in return
Are your memories of yesterday
I would have to answer Him
With a quick and heartfelt cry
But Lord, memories are all I have
Do they, too, have to die?
For, if I had never known you
I would not be suffering so
Because with love come pain and grief
And the reality of letting go
If I had never know you
Your smile would be lost forever
Now it is one of the many things
I will forever treasure
If I had never known you
Your friendship would never have been
Because you were not just a son to me
You were also my best friend
Yes, you were a gift from God
With no promise made for keeping
So that gift I must share
Along with pain and weeping
My Joseph, I do miss you
And your loving touch
But at least I have my memories
Of the son I loved so much
Memories are a special gift
That one should always treasure
Keep them in a special place
And they will last forever
The thought of never knowing you
Is more painful still
So I shall keep my memories
And go on with a determined will
So when I pray to God and you
Please listen with special care
Because all the loved ones you left behind
Need strength and love for the pain that we must bear
Merry Christmas to you in Heaven
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord
Love, Mom
I found this poem by flipping through my very first Bereavement Magazine-Titled Living with Loss-Holiday issue... www.bereavementmag.com (http://www.bereavementmag.com)
With the Holiday season upon us, all of us are reminded of what should have been. None of us ever planned on the death of our babies. And I know that all of us have at one point, thought what our lives would be like now, if we had never had or known our babies...Would you trade your memories of your baby, for all the pain and heartache to be taken away? I would never, ever consider it...During this Holiday season, try to see the gifts we have all been given. (even if just for this short time) Spend time with your family and friends.
I have put up a stocking for Maddux, (the kids can write personal notes to him in heaven, and stuff them in there) hung his first Christmas ornament, and even had our yearly family ornament made with his name included. Nobody batted an eye, or asked why...This is just the thing to do. Doing this, has helped me prepare for Christmas. Helped me get into the spirit of the holidays, especially for my other children. Maddux is all around us...This is such a comforting feeling.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone this year. Christmas has a new meaning to me and my family.
Please share your thoughts and ideas with the upcoming holidays with all of us here at the NILMDTS forum...
((Holiday Hugs)) Cheryl
If I Had Never Known You...
By: Barbara S. Clements
reprinted with permission from Bereavement Publishing, Inc (888-604-4673)
If God were to say to me
I can take your pain away
All you have to give in return
Are your memories of yesterday
I would have to answer Him
With a quick and heartfelt cry
But Lord, memories are all I have
Do they, too, have to die?
For, if I had never known you
I would not be suffering so
Because with love come pain and grief
And the reality of letting go
If I had never know you
Your smile would be lost forever
Now it is one of the many things
I will forever treasure
If I had never known you
Your friendship would never have been
Because you were not just a son to me
You were also my best friend
Yes, you were a gift from God
With no promise made for keeping
So that gift I must share
Along with pain and weeping
My Joseph, I do miss you
And your loving touch
But at least I have my memories
Of the son I loved so much
Memories are a special gift
That one should always treasure
Keep them in a special place
And they will last forever
The thought of never knowing you
Is more painful still
So I shall keep my memories
And go on with a determined will
So when I pray to God and you
Please listen with special care
Because all the loved ones you left behind
Need strength and love for the pain that we must bear
Merry Christmas to you in Heaven
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord
Love, Mom