This is my commitment to grieve well and be well…on my way to exercise!

This was the first time I held Jane. I begged the nurse to make this happen. I dont regret being a pain in the butt one bit. This moment was worth everything…just to be able to hold my daughter.

Daniel and I planted a tree in Israel, nearby the Sea of Galilee in memory of our precious little girl.

These were all of Jane’s dolls. We hung the owls at the top of her tiny little bed, Rhino Angel (her valentines day present) held her bible and stayed with her while we were sleeping, and I slept with the rag dolls and then gave them to Jane so she could smell me all the time. Her Papa bought her the blanket for V-day. We snuggled her up in her blanket every time we held her. Her cute little bear beanie…well, that was just the cutest thing ever on her teeny, tiny head!

CHOC gave me the dolls at a pre-delivery conference that we had. We use to always joke that if “Rhino Angel” could talk, WOW, that rhino would have lots to say because it was with Jane day and night. He saw EVERYTHING…LOL It will be so sweet when I get to pass down Jane’s treasure to her little sister and then tell her all about Jane!

Daniel and I were full of excitement when we found out we were going to have a little girl. We both wanted a darling little princess…and because she was going to be born in February we decided to plant pink flowers to welcome her home. Unfortunately, she never came home to see the beautiful pink cyclamen we planted for her.

So, as a memory of Jane we decided that every year around winter we are going to plant red flowers because her birthstone is a garnet, just like mine. And, in spring we will plant pink flowers to remember the blessing that she was, the beauty that she was…and the great blessing that she was from our Lord. 

In Israel, we planted a cypress tree in memory of Jane.

This is a difficult topic to capture in a photo…hopefully my words can express this.

1. “I understand”—unless you have been in my shoes, you DONT understand. I’m sure you can imagine how I feel or possibly you’ve experienced your own situation of loss and/or life’s daily struggles, but you still don’t understand my pain. It is a pain unique to bereaved parents.

2. “Don’t worry, you’ll have more children”— of course we will try to have more children, but the thought of having another child to “replace” Jane or to have another child to fill the gaping hole in my heart is not possible! The last thing we ever want is to replace Jane or forget her. She will always be our first child. We will always count her as part of our family. I recently read in Colossians where Paul tells the people of Colosse to “remember his chains”. I dont believe Paul tells his fellow readers to remember his chains to feel sorry for him, but to remember God in his chains. To remember God’s grace and to be partakers in the confirmation of the gospel (Philippians). Jane was our gift from God. She was a gift that changed me and Daniel as people and parents forever. Forgetting her or replacing her is the worst thing that could happen, it would be as if her life were in vain.

3. The Silent Treatment—acting as if she were never around or keeping quiet that Jane was never part of our lives is beyond painful. Its unfortunate that I dont get to say her name or talk of her more often like other parents do with their children. The way that I heal, the way that I remember her joy is by talking about her and sharing her story.

Yes, there are many other things people should avoid saying. I also know that most people are not educated on this matter so I have made an effort to let things roll off my shoulder and know that people mostly mean well. Just like anything else in life, when we need to know how to do something we pick up a book, google it, find the recipe…whatever it is and we learn how to do it. Why wouldnt we do the same thing when learning how to support people in life’s tough circumstances.

If I haven’t said it enough…forgetting Jane is my biggest fear. Not that I will forget Jane, but those around me forgetting Jane, forgetting her struggle, forgetting the impact she had on our community as we gathered in prayer, forgetting how precious she is that God welcomed her home, forgetting that she is my first, sweet daughter, forgetting her beautiful face… So, avoiding the “topic” isn’t helping me move forward.

1. When all else fails and you don’t know what to say, just be genuine. A simple hug, a reminder that Jane is remembered is sufficient.

2. Ask questions. Keep in mind that I am thinking about Jane every minute of every day. If I cry because I felt loved or encouraged, don’t feel bad. That’s probably not the first time I cried that day and your words didn’t spark my thoughts or emotions. They are always at the surface…waiting to come out.

3. The most encouraging words that anyone has ever shared with me was the reminder that I WILL see Jane and be with her again. I was challenged to imagine meeting her again…when she runs up to me and says, “Mama, tell me what you did while I was away”… how unfortunate it would be if all I could answer her was that I mourned her death. Instead, I want to be able to tell her all the ways I glorified God.

Here is a link that has great information:

http://www.hopeforthemourning.com/What-can-I-say-to-grieving-parents.aspx

This perfect piece of jewelry was a gift FOR Jane from her Ts. Leah and Ds. Steve. While they were in Bali they found a jeweler who made this necklace. It was one of those odd pieces that was meant to be Jane’s. On one side it says BIG and on the other side it says HEART. Not only did Jane have a Huge, Loving heart because she fought such a tough battle for her Mama and Papa… she physically had an enlarged heart because of her heart defect. I will forever wear this necklace in memory of my sweet girl, Jane.