Yep. Mrs. Davidson. That took less than a week.
My eyes filled with tears as I asked her if this grief thing was going to get any better.
She said yes. She said yes. She said yes. Clinging to her words today.
And look who is still struggling but was well enough to go to school:
Meet Margaret, The Elvinking from The Hobbit.
She aced her presentation. I told her it would be funny if she dressed like Elvis and said to her teacher, "What? I thought I was supposed to be Elvis, The King." At least I crack myself up.
We'll be doing a lot of shopping and packing Operation Christmas Child boxes this weekend in memory of Jack.
Maybe you'll be doing that too. It's a great activity for the kids. Or if you are like me and you enjoy sorting things and sticking them in piles, for moms too.
Much love to you this weekend.
And to reader Laura, who lost her almost 19 year old son 7 weeks ago in a car accident: I am so very, very sorry. I hope this will continue to be a safe place for you to come. I don't have your email address so I've been unable to contact you directly.
Friends, could you join me in sending love and prayers to this hurting mom?
Sending Laura my thoughts and prayers - I'm so sorry to hear of another life taken too soon! And as always thinking of you and your family. I can also attest, from the sibling end, that the grief does get better. My mom has also said the same thing - she is thriving, not just surviving. It will take time, but you will learn to smile at the memories and not always feel the hurt. Big hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteof course you just ran into her again. you have spiritual helpers, for sure! so glad you were able to get that chance meeting again and have the conversation.
ReplyDeletewell how cool is that. thanks for sharing, having a bit of a grief relapse the past few weeks, and it always helps to hear from others who have gone before that it continues to be less painful with time.
ReplyDeleteand you crack me up too, dressing as Elvis. too funny.
I am glad Margaret is better and sending my love, thoughts and prayers to Laura.
ReplyDeleteMargaret is beautiful. We, too, will be filling Christmas boxes this weekend-can't wait!
ReplyDeletePraying for Laura and all of those hurting for their children, especially as the holiday season is upon us.
Margaret looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteSending thoughts to Laura
Sending up prayers for you and Laura. Life is such a hard journey sometimes. Last night my hubby was on call and got called in because someone lost a new baby- the grief so real and bright that it breaks my husband's heart...as well as everyone elses-staff and family alike.
ReplyDeleteI love the ElvisKingThing- she shoulda done it!;>) xo Diana
Sending Laura many thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteGlad Margaret is feeling better!
Love her outfit. Although Elvis would have been really funny:-)
Sending prayers to Laura's family. Glad she was feeling well enough to do her presentation. We will be packing 15 boxes this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI want so badly to be Mrs. Davidson, and sometimes, I have been her. I think with losing my mom almost 2 years ago has pushed me into a slump. She was always strong, always there...and then I had to be there for her after she fell and then passed away 12 long days later. I know where she is, I know we'll see one another again one day, but I can't call her, or wait for her call to tell me goodnight, or just know I can run up to the nursing home to see her. So, I've been missing my mother as well as my daughter--but at times, I believe, I have BEEN Mrs. Davidson--I just have to find that inside of me again and push forward--for my husband , for my family, for my grandchildren...and for me. You're making wonderful progress, Anna...I know you have awful days--but your writing is doing so much good!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sherry's mom
Why do I feel like I have a girl crush on you and Mrs. Davidson? Maybe because you show the rest of us how to do it. Every single day.
ReplyDeleteSending so much love to Laura and every bit of extra strength I have.
ReplyDeleteMargaret looks adorable, and what a great job she did with that colorful map.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you, Laura. I'm sorry for the other losses mentioned, too.
It's good to know that you found some comfort from your talk with Mrs. Davidson. You have been through so much, and the comfort of her presence must have been very meaningful, in addition to her words of wisdom.
I'm so glad you got to talk to Mrs. Robinson so soon after you wrote that other post. Of course it was no accident you ran into her, you know that. ;)
ReplyDeleteSending prayers for Laura.
xoxo - Kristen Mae
Yet again just another sign that you are whether it feels like it at times or not being taken care of by SO many - here and there.
ReplyDeleteI read this today and thought of you. Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. Job 11:18. Blessings my sweet friend.
Praying comfort and peace for you, Laura.
ReplyDeleteAnd, for you, Anna. Love that Mrs. Davidson was able to give you some of that.
Oh Laura, I am sending you such warm thoughts. I am so sorry for the loss of your son, and I hope that you feel the compassion and love of both those who are near to you and those who have never met you but feel your pain and wish for you to feel supported and cared about.
ReplyDeleteAnna, you too. I think so often about my friends who have experienced loss, but as an atheist, I don't always know how to express my feelings to a religious person. I'm not praying, but their lives and their love are so present in my mind. The best I've got is telling people they are on my mind and in my heart, and that I wish more than anything for them to feel comforted.
Prayers for you and your family Laura. This is a safe place. I have shared it with my brother and his wife who lost their beautiful 26 year old son in a car accident 16 months ago. It is a safe place for healing.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna. I'm a mum of 4 in Australia who has followed since Momastry went 'boom'! Oh how I have ached for you and your family. Such unimaginable grief. I have wept over your heartfelt posts for Jack, and I've been glad you've shared with us and allowed me to cry over the loss of your dear boy because it's made me pray so hard for you from the other side of the earth, and to squeeze my own kids that bit tighter. And you've reminded me about flooded creeks. I humbly thankyou for all you've given your readers, even through your own grief.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I have tears for another. A friend of a friend whose grief is still so recent and raw. I don't want to meddle, but I wonder if you might visit http://www.mummymuddles.com/ I feel that right now, Mrs Davidson's words may be comforting to dear Rachel. Thankyou Anna. Kate, Qld.
Love and prayers going out right now to you, Mrs. Davidson and Laura.
ReplyDeleteShe.Said.Yes. Thank you Mrs Davidson. Prayers to Laura and her family.
ReplyDeleteWow, Margaret's costume and diorama look amazing, and she looks happy and proud of herself--way to go!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you were able to find some comfort in Mrs. Davidson's words; I hope you continue to find solace through (and provide solace for) those who have also experienced profound loss.
It's so important to have reminders that you're not alone in this difficult, heartbreaking journey.
Margaret is beautiful. G-d bless Mrs.davidson. prayers to Laura....heartfelt prayers for mercy and comfort.
ReplyDeleteWe will be assembling shoeboxes and starting to pack this weekend....people are coming by to pick up their shoeboxes.
Lifting you in prayer.
Packing boxes in loving memory of Jack.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteI hope I have said this before.i feel like I have but who knows. My mama knows your pain. Our David died when he was 6 1/2, damn leukemia. We are 43 years on the other side. My mama has always said that ithe pain is always there. But slowly, over time it just ceases to hurt so damn much.
God bless you my dear friend. What you are doing here in this place is such a service to other moms.
It always breaks my heart when more parents join this awful club. I'm so sorry about the death of your son Laura.
ReplyDeleteI am sending Laura prayers from a mother's heart- a mother who also has an 18 year old son...I am so sorry. My heart to yours. The pain must feel unbearable. I hope our prayers help your energy lighten, just enough to breathe some.
ReplyDeleteSo many prayers to Laura and her family. xoxo
ReplyDeleteP.S. Margaret is so lovely. xoxo
I'm sending prayers to Laura - and to you.
ReplyDeleteTo Laura and to you - blessings and prayers of healing. Know that you are not alone. We are here.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad you ran into Mrs. Davidson!
ReplyDeleteAnnie is reading The Hobbit right now. Love, love that pic of Margaret.
Dear Anna,
ReplyDeleteYou're an incredible person. Margaret is adorable--what a literary, fun costume! You're in my thoughts and prayers, and you're much loved. xo
Irony, you gotta love it! And prayers for all mommies hurting for a lost child.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeletePrayers and hugs from a fellow reader. I am so, so sorry and have you in my thoughts.
Love and hugs to you, too, Anna - as always.
Claire
Great picture of Margaret. Glad she's feeling better. Love to you...and use Mrs. Davidson's words for hope and strength.
ReplyDeleteMuch love and prayers to Laura....
Lovely post. Sending good thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSending love to Laura and to you, always.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sending prayers to Laura and big ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteI think your Elvis joke is funny.
God brings people into our lives for a reason and right now Mrs. Davidon is one of them.
Clinging to her yes with you, Anna. And praying for Laura - may God give her solace and assurance of his very real presence.
ReplyDeletewell that was meant to happen. you needed those words from HERE, no one else. your daughter is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSending prayers for Laura and her family on the loss of her precious son! Maybe it'll be a small comfort for her to one day know that it does get better. Love you, keep on writing!
ReplyDeletePatti
Sending you hugs:
ReplyDeletehttp://9gag.com/gag/5760898
I love you Anna.
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteI'm SO glad you ran into her again--it was meant to be. And she gave you hope. YES! We have packed up 3 Operation Shoeboxes to be delivered to church tomorrow and we thought about Jack as we were doing it! His photo is on our fridge; his magnet is on my car and I think about him every single day.
Love you!
Annie
Congratulations on the book writing project. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteI continue to hold you and your family in my heart and prayers are being said for Laura and her family as well.