September 18th: A Day of Tears, A Day of Hope

 


Two years ago on 9/18/23 my world changed a bit. I held my mom’s hand as her life here on earth ended. There was chaos echoing in the room but it was like time stood still in that brief moment. I kissed her cheek and told her I loved her, as I’m sure her soul was entering Heaven. Letting go was hard, but I was grateful to be by her side at the end of her life. 

Grief has a way of marking time, last year, this year and probably every September 18th for the rest of my life, I felt and will feel the weight of that day. I have replayed memories of her in my mind, heard her voice in my thoughts and wished I had one more moment with her, to give her a hug or to laugh together the way we often did.

However, on September 18, 2023 God wrote a new chapter in our family’s story. On the very day I lost my mom, my granddaughter was born. Her name is Finnley Hope. That day was bittersweet, it felt like Heaven and earth collided. The circle of life became so real in the moment. Finnley’s middle name, ‘Hope’ spoke louder than words. What was a day of tears and loss also became a day of new life and promise.

Now, September 18th will always be sacred to me, it is both a day of mourning and celebration. A day of remembering what (who) was lost and what (who) was given. I miss my mom everyday, but when I look at Finnley, as well as my other grandchildren, I see God’s reminder that love carries on, that life has seasons and that even in sorrow, he plants seeds of joy.

I miss you Mom and I love you! 

Happy Birthday Finnley Girl, I love you way up high to the sky and down to the ocean floor.🩷🤟

“May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13

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