Dear Mom

Following is a letter I wrote for a friend who lost her 6 year-old son last October. This is her first Mother's Day without him. I think it speaks volumes to the grief of birthmother's also, so I am sharing it here today. We so often think of Mother's day as being joyous, but for so many, it is a sobering reminder of empty arms and holes left in hearts. Peace and blessings to everyone this day.

Dear Mom –

            Happy Mother’s day! I am sorry I can’t be with you today but we have an eternity full of days to celebrate in the future. Mom, I know you miss me. I know Mother’s day makes you sad; especially this first one without me. I never wanted to break your heart and I was mostly meant to bring you joy. Will you remember that on this day?

            I was picked especially for you, even if it was for too short of a time. While I was with you, I brought you joy, but now you must remember that it’s the Lord’s time to bring you joy. My departing brought you intense grief, but My Heavenly Father, your Heavenly Father, will bring hope and joy renewed with each brand new morning. Mom, please hold on to that promise. Please hold on to Him. Hold on to the hope that our last goodbye really was the last goodbye. When we meet again, those words will never be spoken between us again.

            Thank you for who you are. Thank you for the great love you gave me. Thank you for everything you have done for me up to this point. It is now time to honor me by doing for you. Honor me by feeling alive again. Honor me by living each day with the intense purpose and vitality you had while I was with you. It’s ok to be sad, but honor me by letting it only be sometimes. You always put me first and I thank you for that selfless love, but it’s time for self-love. Honor me by learning to love and see yourself how God see’s you Mom. You should hear the way He speaks of you! He loves you with a fire that burns brighter and hotter than the sun – and that’s on the days you feel you’ve let Him down! Mom, please keep Him first and foremost in your heart. He really is truth and love and healing and all those things you need for the rest of your journey on Earth.

            In those moments when you can actually physically feel the hole I left in your heart by my departure, go to Him Mom. Let him fill that hole up so you don’t sink in the waters of your grief. I came to you to be a blessing straight from God and He never meant for the focus to be on my departure but instead, on our time spent together – on the blessing of our journey together. Remember that, Mom. On this Mother’s day, remember the blessings.

I love you with all my heart and am thankful that He gave you to me as My Mother. And He loves you even more than I ever could! Always remember that.