Easter 2012

HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN...........

Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers

grieveoutloud.org

International Babylost Mother's Day: May 2nd

Abiding Hope

Abiding Hope
Thanks Franchesca!!!!!

She made a Video for Cylas; it's at the bottom if you would like to watch it

Cylas' Butterfly

Cylas' Butterfly
Thanks Bree!!!!

Cylas' Angel Wings

Cylas' Angel Wings
Thanks Lea!!!!

Cylas' Butterfly Footprints

Cylas' Butterfly Footprints
Thanks Malory!!!

Calvin's Cupcakes

Calvin's Cupcakes
Thank you Crystal

May 24, 2010

29 MONTHS OLD

Cylas,

I just wanted to let you know that I am missing you today. Today you are 29 months old!! I wish you were here with me. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish you could come back and be in my arms. I love you more and more everyday!!!

HAPPY 29 MONTHS, CYLAS!!!

LOVE,
Mommy

May 15, 2010

THINKING ABOUT YOU

Today I am thinking about you! You have been gone for so long but yet my heart still aches for you. I love you Cylas!! I miss you!

LOVE,
Mommy

May 14, 2010

28 MONTHS AGO OUR GOODBYES WERE SPOKEN

I wish that number would get lower instead of higher. I've been having some awesome days but then this day, it seems to sneak up on me. It's not actually until tomorrow, but sometimes I can't always post from my blackberry. I was awake until 3 am this morning thinking about you and feeling bad all over again about things that I couldn't do for you. It really SUCKS this world of mine. I mean I am trying to move forward and be happy and I have been happy thanks to J and whatever it is that we have going on right now, but then I get knocked back into reality and realize that no matter how happy I might be, I will never be fully happy ever again. In a perfect world you would be here, growing up and running around chasing your sisters. And I know that it's never gonna happen. Were missing out on your life and your missing out on ours.

I can't believe it's been 28 months already though. All those awful memories are still so fresh in my head. You are a handsome little boy and if I had known that I wasn't getting a whole lot of time with you, you would have been in my bed and in my arms those two weeks you were actually at home. I would have spent every moment with you, I mean I did that, but I would have tried harder to let you know that Momma loves you. I think my biggest fear is that you didn't know how much I truly love you. I felt so guilty over so many things and I didn't get a chance to make that guilt go away. Now I have even more guilt and pain that I am dealing with and trying to make the best of it.

In my heart, I know you are happy and healthy in heaven. I know that I have nothing to worry about. You are probably an expert at flying by now and I am pretty sure you still play with all your angel friends. And I know that you are very helpful to those new angels that have arrived, you know showing them the ropes and making them feel at home. I know that I have my very own angel in heaven and I can't wait to see you again. I can't wait to hold you in my arms and just squeeze you so tight you'll be squirming to get loose. I definitely can't wait to run my fingers through that hair of yours and pinch those chubby, chubby cheeks. You know I don't think I'll ever understand why I must go through the rest of my life without you but I will spend every minute carrying you in my heart and making sure your not forgotten!!

Mommy wants you to know that I love you very much!!!!! I miss you more than anyone knows!!

May 10, 2010

MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day doesn't hold much meaning to me. I mean, yeah, I have two beautiful little girls here with me but I am still missing a handsome son that I long to hold in my arms. None of the holidays are special because someone is always missing from my day. This poem was posted on BBC and I wanted to share it here. I hope that is ok.

I am writing to you from Heaven

And though it must appear
A rather strange idea
I see everything from here.


I just popped in to visit
Your shops to find a card
A card of love for my Mum
As this day for her is hard.


There must be some mistake I thought
Every card you could imagine
Except I could not find a card
From a child who lives in Heaven.

She is still a Mother too
No matter where I reside
I had to leave she understands
But oh the tears she cried.


I thought that if I wrote to you
That you would come to know
That though I live in Heaven now
I still love my Mummy so.


She talks with me and dreams with me
We still share laughter too
Prayers are our way of speaking now
Would you see what you can do?

My Mum carries me in her heart
Her tears she hides from sight
She thinks of me and misses me

Sometimes far into the night.


She plants flowers in her garden
There my memory dwells
She helps other grieving parents
Trying to ease their pain as well.


So you see Mr. Hallmark
Though I no longer live on earth
I must try to find a way
To remind her of her worth.


She needs to be honoured
And remembered too
Just like children on earth
For their Mums today do.


Thank you Mr. Hallmark
I know you’ll do your best
I have done all I can do
To you I’ll leave the rest.


Find a way to tell her
How much she means to me
Until I can do it myself
When we’re joined in Eternity


(Author and title unknown)

May 7, 2010

MY RANT

I can't believe the nerve of my EX and your sperm donor, Cylas. I'm finally ready to try and start dating again and he finds a way to make me feel so angry and mad all over again. I have a Facebook account, and he recently set one up for himself, too. Well I guess yesterday he found mine and seen where I was talking about J and how much I like him and everything. So he texts me and says "what's up?" And I'm like what to do you mean? And he said oh I just seen your FB account. I told him that I loved FB! I thought that would be the end of the conversation, but I was wrong.

Then he said I see you have a new beau and I said no not yet, but I'm working on it. And he said oh, well I have to admit I was a little jealous, but I am happy for you. I'm like WHAT!!! I was livid. After everything that has happened in the last three years he has no right to be jealous over anything or anyone. He lost that right when he walked away from our marriage and decided to end it. He denied you and said you were not his son. I was upset and mad the rest of the evening. I even had a conversation with J but couldn't enjoy it because I kept thinking about the EX!!! He's so ridiculous. He has a new wife, he made his choice and I guess now he has to live with it.

And that's not even the topper to this whole drama. He's been asking me if he can come see the house. He said that Prairie "told" him she wanted him to see her new room. I've come thisclose to agreeing on that happening, you know to keep her happy, but then I find out she hasn't even said anything about him coming to see her room at all. He's using her to get to me and I almost let it happen. I should have known better. I feel like an idiot right now.

Go figure, as soon as I'm ready to open up to someone new, and a GOOD someone, my EX decides to add his two cents. J makes me smile, I just think about him and I smile. That's something that hasn't happened in a long time. We've had our first conversation on the phone and talked about everything. I told him about you, and of course he already knows about Prairie and Boss, but I know he was just making sure I didn't have like ten more kids hiding somewhere, HA! He likes Vampires, which I think is AWESOME! He works, and no one has to make him work, I had to threaten the EX in order to get him to keep a job! J is just better. And I've been praying so hard about this. I don't want my heart to lead the way, which is what happened the last time, I want God to have a hand in this. If J and I are meant to be then I guess we'll know soon enough. I am pretty sure you can see a little difference in me. And you are more than welcome to nudge J's thoughts my way, if you want to!

My EX is realizing what he's missing. He sees all the blessings I've received. I'm blessed to have three wonderful children and soon I'll be blessed with my very own house. I recently got a different vehicle, not new but it's new to me. I truly feel blessed. I don't what else to say. Things are moving along with J and I feel like I'm finally in a happy place. I don't need anyone trying to ruin that. I can honestly say that I am really jazzed about J and can't wait to hear from him. I hope I get to see him tonight. I've been trying to get him to the movies, but he's always working. He's such a hard worker!! So different from the EX!

May 5, 2010

THE TWINS


Cylas, my heart is breaking right now. I just talked to my cousin Linda. She lost her son last June to an overdose. He left behind twin boys. Their names are Andrae and Bryan and they will be turning 4 in September. They are so young to already be without a daddy. I wish that he had made better decisions than he did, but I guess it was in God's plans.

These two little boys miss their dad so much. They don't understand why he's not coming back and when they get mad at their mom or Mamaw they tell them to call their dad to come get them. Andrae was staying with his Mamaw the other day and he told her he wanted the angels to come and take him away so he could be with his daddy. She talked to him and told him that it may be a while before angels come for him. She told him that he may be 50 years old before the angels need him in Heaven. She said but until then you need to stay here and when it's time for you to go then the angels will come get you and take you right to your daddy. As she was telling me this tears streamed down my cheeks. I hate to see or even hear of kids being in so much pain. Because there's really nothing that can you say to make them feel better.

Unfortunately, those boys don't get that at home with their mom and her boyfriend. If the boys bring up their dad they change the subject. I can't say for sure if this is healthy or not. I know that after losing you, I wanted to completely shut down and not talk to anyone, but your sister was the one who kept asking questions. She wanted to know what happened and she wanted to know why you were not coming home. She had these exact same questions and even though they were hard to answer I did the best that I could and I continue to do that today. If she wants to talk about you, then we talk about you. And if we end up crying, then that's alright too! I think that the boy's mom should take some time to talk to them or find someone who will talk to them. Little kids need an outlet too! If they feel like they don't have one then their behavior could change.

Their Mamaw also keeps pictures of her son up all over her house. She told the boys that by having those pictures it allows their dad the oppurtunity to see them. And that's very good to. I know many times I sit in my room and talk to your picture. I trace over your features and fall in love all over again with my handsome little boy! I think the Mamaw is doing a very good job with helping these little boys. But she needs some help. I can only pray and ask God to send them some comfort. I don't get to see these boys but that doesn't mean that I don't love them or care about them.

Cylas, I know that I ask you to do many things from your little cloud in heaven, but you can drop all that and visit these little boys, your cousins. Let them know that their daddy is always around even if they see him. I know Andrew and he wouldn't want his boys hurting so much. Give them some peace and let them know that their going to be ok. You are a good angel and you've helped momma and your sister so much. I love you with all my heart!!!!!

Mom

May 3, 2010

JUST LETTIN' YOU KNOW

Cylas,

I think momma is falling in love again, I guess that's what you could call it, but who knows. It's a surprising feeling, one that I thought I would never feel again, but on the other hand it's very terrifying. No worries though, it's still in the early stages, it's almost like a new car, you know you have to get a feel of the car before you know if you like it or not. I'm attracted to him, I mean he got my attention from the get go but things are moving slowly right now. I've only had a couple conversations wtih him and then there are the occasional "hello's" and smiles that we share. We are still getting to know each other.

I think I can honestly say I am scared to death. I thought I didn't want another relationship. I thought that I had convinced myself that I was better off alone, well you know, just me and the girls. I definitely don't want to get hurt again. I have days that I want this to work and then I have days when I have a lot of doubt about the whole thing. I plan on taking it day by day.

This guy goes to Nan's church, he's really nice, he's 36 and has a steady job. Actually he's an electrician and I plan on getting him to help me when I get in the house. He's offered to hook up my security lights that are on the corner's of the house and to check my outlets to make sure they work and are hooked up. I don't know if he know's I like him but right now I'm just keeping this to myself. Your cousin Earl is anxious for something to happen. He said that he knows J is better than the Ex, which is the truth, for now.

So for now I can't say where this will lead. And I'm kind of glad it is moving slowly because there are a few goals I want to reach before I bring a man into my crazy life. I want to have a home and I want you and the girls to have a home. That's been the biggest obstacle thus far and it's getting so close to happening. I also need to learn more about J. I want to make sure he's not crazy and I want to make sure he likes kids. That's another big worry that I have. I keep thinking about that question and running it over and over through my mind. I keep thinking about the numerous things he could say or the things he couldn't or wouldn't say. I am worried that the girls might actually scare him off. And I guess that's why I remain unsure about this.

I don't know why I came here and wrote to you about it. I guess I kind of figured you might know something I don't know. I would like to ask you to help me out, send me some kind of sign that would resemble a yay or a nay!! Does that sound crazy???

Mom

THREAD OF HOPE

I have completely fallen in love with this song

Honey Is For Bees

I WILL CARRY YOU by SELAH

HELD by NATALIE GRANT

Unredeemed by SELAH

BORROWED ANGELS

Don't Go Away (Buckcherry)

Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)

KNOCKIN ON HEAVEN'S DOOR

EVERY ROSE HAS IT'S THORN

Every Breath You Take

BRING ON THE RAIN

STAND BESIDE ME

TEARS IN HEAVEN

I'll be Missing you

THE CROSS HAS WON AGAIN

WISH YOU WERE HERE

HEALING STREAM

MAMA LIKED THE ROSES

TAKE MY HAND PRECIOUS LORD

ONCE UPON A HILL

In Memory of Those I've Lost

Nelly Furtado

~~IF TEARS COULD BUILD A STAIRWAY~~

I think of you often
and make no outward show,
But what it means to lose you,
no one will ever know
You wished no one farewell,
not even said good-bye,
You were gone before I knew it,
and only God knows why.
You are not forgotten
nor will you ever be,
As long as life and memories last,
I will remember thee.
To some you may be forgotten,
to others a part of the past,
But to me who loved you dearly,
your memories will always last.
Nothing can be more beautiful
than the memories I have of you.
To me, you were someone special,
God must have thought so too!
If tears could build a stairway
and memories a lane,
I would walk all the way to Heaven,
and bring you back again.

Shared by Beth on BBC (thanks Beth)

Cylas @ 7 days old

Cylas @ 7 days old

My Sister, I-wo-di

My Sister, I-wo-di
The Princess

I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus this Year

I see the all the beautiful Christmas Trees
Around the world below,
With the all the lights like heaven's stars
Reflecting in the snow..

The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year..

I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can't compare
With the Christmas choir up here..

For I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description
To hear as the angels sing..

I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart,
But I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year..

I can not tell you of the splendor
Or the peace here in this place,
Can you just imagine Christmas?
With our Savior, face to face?

I will ask HIM to light your spirit
As I tell HIM of your love,
So then pray one for another
As you lift your eyes above..

So please let your hearts be joyful
And let your spirit sing,
For I am spending Christmas in heaven
And I am walking with the King!!!

author unknown

20 Things I wish you would Remember

1. I wish you would not be afraid to mention Cylas. The truth is just because you may never seen him doesn't mean he doesn't deserve your recognition.

2. I wish that if we did talk about Cylas and I cried you didn't think it was because you have hurt me by mentioning him. The truth is I need to (and often want to) cry and talk about Cylas with you. Crying and emotional outbursts help me heal.

3. I wish that you could talk about Cylas more than once. The truth is if you do, it reassures me that you haven't forgotten him and that you do care and understand.

4. I wish you wouldn't think that I don't want to talk about Cylas. The truth is I love him and need to talk about him.

5. I wish you could tell me you are sorry Cylas has died and that you are thinking of me. The truth is that it tells me you care.

6. I wish you wouldn't think what has happened is one big bad memory for me. The truth is the memory of Cylas Mychal, the love I feel for him, the dreams I had and the memories I have created for him are all loving memories. Yes there are bad memories too but please understand that it's not all like that.

7. I wish you wouldn't pretend that Cylas never existed. The truth is we both know I had him growing inside me for 9 months.

8. I wish you wouldn't judge me because I am not acting the way you think I should be. The truth is grief is a very personal thing and we are all different people who deal with things differently.

9. I wish you wouldn't think if I have a good day I'm "over it" or if I have a bad day that I am being unreasonable because you think I should be over it. The truth is there is no "normal" way for me to act and I will never be "over it".

10. I wish you wouldn't stay away from me. The truth is loosing Cylas doesn't mean I'm contagious. By staying away you make me feel isolated, confused and at fault for something I had no control over.

11. I wish you wouldn't expect my grief to be "over and done with" in a few weeks, months, years or ever for that matter. The truth is it may get easier with time but I will never be "over" this.

12. I wish you would think of Cylas as a baby and and not just a neo-natal death. The truth is he was a human life. He had a soul, heart, body, legs, arms, a face and a unique personality. I have seen my baby's body and face, I have heard him cry. My baby was a real person.

13.Cylas' due date, his birthday, the day he died and Mothers Day, are all important and sad days for me. The truth is I wish you could tell me by words or by letter that you are thinking of me (and Cylas) on these days.

14. I wish you understood that losing Cylas has changed me. The truth is I am not the same person I was before nor will I ever be that person again. If you keep waiting for me to get back to ""normal" you will stay frustrated and continue waiting. I am a new person with new thoughts, dreams, beliefs, and values. Please try to get to know the new "me"-maybe you'll still like me.

15. I wish you wouldn't tell me that I can have other babies. The truth is I want the baby I lost and no other baby can replace Cylas Mychal. Babies aren't interchangeable.

16. I wish you wouldn't feel awkward or uncomfortable talking about Cylas or being near me. When you do, I can see it. The truth is it's not fair to make me feel uncomfortable just because you are, I'm dealing with enough as it is.

17. I wish you wouldn't think that you should keep away because all my friends and family will be there for me. The truth is, everyone thinks the same thing and I am often left with no one.

18. I wish you would understand that being around pregnant women is uncomfortable for me. The truth is I feel jealous, angry and sad.

19. I wish you wouldn't say that everything happens for a reason. The truth is as far as I'm concerned no explanation would or could ever be good enough to justify that fact that Cylas is gone.

20. I wish you would understand what you are really saying when you say "the next baby will be fine". The truth is how do you know? Can you gauruntee that my next baby will be healthy? What will you say if it happens to me again?

*adapted and edited from Rainbow Over my Broken Road Thank you Kristi.*

Meet my Sister

Meet my Sister
Hi! I'm Iwodi!!

A Poem for Angel Moms

I thought of you and closed my eyes
And prayed to God today.
I asked what makes a Mother
And I know I heard him say,

A Mother has a baby
This we know is true.
But God, can you be a Mother
When your baby's not with you?

Yes you can, he replied
With confidence in his voice.
I give many women babies
When they leave is not their choice

Some I send for a lifetime
And others for a day.
And some I send to feel your womb.
But there's no need to stay.

I just don't understand this,
GodI want my baby here!
He took a breath and cleared His throat
And then I saw a tear

I wish I could show you
What your child is doing today.
If you could see your child smile

With the other children and say,
"We go to earth to learn our lessons
Of love and life and fear.

My Mommy loved me oh so much
I got to come straight here."
"I feel so lucky to have a Mom
Who had so much love for me.

I learned my lesson very quickly
and My Mommy set me free."
"I miss my Mommy oh so much
But I visit her each day.

When she goes to sleep at night
On her pillow is where I lay."
"I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek

And whisper in her ear,
Mommy don't be sad today
I am your baby and I am here.

"So you see my dear sweet one
Your children are okay
Your babies are here in My home

And this is where they'll stay.
They'll wait for you with Me
Until your lesson is through.

And on the day that you come home
They'll be at the gates for you.
So now you see what makes a Mother

It's the feeling in your heart.
It's the love you had so much of
Right from the very start.

It's Cylas!!!

It's Cylas!!!
Taladu @ 2 weeks old

Names In The Sand