Friday, June 7, 2013

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

Look what I found while cleaning our office this week. It's a note Tim wrote for Jack when Jack was 2 1/2. I don't think Jack ever saw it because it was tucked inside a notebook.

October 2001

Every night we would read books to you and say your prayers before you went to bed. Twice this month after we said your prayers, you put your hands on my face and said, "I'm filling your heart with life." I'm not sure where you learned that, or if you made it up, but it was very touching. You do, indeed, fill my heart with life.


How beautiful is that? Here's hoping your heart is full of life this weekend.

41 comments:

Laura said...

Jack continues to fill countless hearts with life, light, and love. What an amazing kid.
Hugs to your sweet family. Prayers, always.

(Oh . . . and Tim's handwriting? Made me think back to reading of Jack's first few neatly written binder entries, after a summer of practice. Then, of course, made me a little jealous and wonder if Tim could send his lesson plan to my husband. ;-))

Marinka said...

that is beautiful. so much love to you xoxo

One crazed mommy said...

How awesomely special is that? Wow! He sure sounds as if he was wise beyond his years to say something like that at 2 1/2! Amazing, and precious!

Loukia said...

Absolutely beautiful. xoxo

Arnebya said...

I wish the same for you. Oh, how I do.

Julie O. said...

That is amazing...and an excellent reminder to capture those moments in writing before they're forgotten. How beautiful that he wrote it down in the form of a letter to Jack.

Shenne said...

So lovely, and a good reminder that we need to write such moments down. We think we'll remember them, but we don't. What a wonderful, albeit bittersweet, memento to treasure.

Suburban Correspondent said...

Out of the mouths of babes...

Thinking of you on this rainy day, of course. Did you notice that, in addition to warning people to "turn around, don't drown", Capital Weather Gang warned about letting children play near creeks and streams. I've never seen them do that before.

Anonymous said...

How beautiful, Anna!

Please take some comfort in knowing that though your time with Jack was short, it was so filled with beautiful moments (such as what is described here) that are beyond what some have in their families in a lifetime. You and Tim made beauty with and for Jack. Somehow he got that lovely thought into his so young brain. Beautiful all around, and wonderful that Tim recorded it.

You have been blessed, Anna. I really appreciate that you have been cursed as well (can't imagine the excruciating pain), but the blessings are what resonate so much as I read your your blog. You are sharing those blessings with the world through your writing. May this be of some comfort to you.

-- Joan in PA

Gigi said...

Simply beautiful. I'm glad he took the time to capture that memory.

Gigi said...

Absolutely beautiful. I'm so glad he took the moment to capture that memory on paper.

Peg said...

What a sweet boy. What a sweet daddy.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a sweet note for a boy who was wise beyond his years and had a heart that was filled with love for others. I know it hurts but what a sweet memory to come across. ((HUGS))

Brown46545 said...

What a wonderful husband you have.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

How touching that Tim took the time to write that note and preserve that memory. You know I think your dear sweet Jack has filled more hearts with life than you will ever really know. Hugs to you Anna!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Such profound thoughts for one so small! Not at all surprised though...

Fiona, Lilyfield Life said...

that's so beautiful. Jacl was a gorgeous boy and continues to inspire us all. much love, Fiona xx

Jenn said...

So special and beautiful! I love the ways Jack continues to touch our lives. Thank you so much for sharing, Anna. xoxo

Heather L. Kopp said...

Anna, this is so beautiful. What kind of kid does that, taught or not? So amazing. It really touched this me morning and reminded me how God is doing this all the time for me. I almost felt God's palms on my cheeks just now.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing that with us! That is beautiful and a rare find. I'm always struck by what a loving father Tim is. You've had so much taken away that it's very moving when you find something so special from Jack's early years.

I hope the week was at least a little better and that your weekend will have some good moments.

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Unknown said...

So sweet and beautiful. A moment to cherish. xoxo

Kerry S. said...

Very sweet. Thank you for sharing that with us. That is wonderful that Tim wrote that down. What a special gift to find. I believe Jack has seen it now, if he never did before.

Love to all of you.

Anonymous said...

PS Your finding this made me think of God's abundance and grace, but on second thought the verse from John doesn't capture the feeling of what you wrote. I was trying to think of something else, and then realized that Heather had already put it so beautifully, about God's palms on her face. That is just as poetic as the Psalms, so I will search no further.

Christine Skoutelas said...

Beautiful. It gives me hope that "filling a heart with life" means that it can't be taken away.

mariann said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

Alexandra said...

what a moment to remember.

Liz said...

I saw your husband from afar at Twilight Four Miler last night wearing a Jack's Lanterns shirt. It made me smile a little and say a quick prayer for you.

Stimey said...

It is incredibly beautiful. I'm so glad you found that.

GrahamForeverInMyHeart said...

What a beautiful family you have.

I've added your blog to the website I've been curating in memory of my 23 year old son, Graham, who was killed 55 weeks ago.
http://www.scoop.it/t/grief-and-loss
My site is meant to be a resource for bereaved parents and siblings.

anymommy said...

Oh, what a treasure. As I was reading, I had these pangs in my heart about whether we've ever written things like that down. Guess mommy blogging is pretty cool after all.

Heidi said...

Wow. That is incredible and so special. He really did, and continues to, fill our hearts with life.

And that FNL quote? Love, love that show.

Lorenne said...

What an amazing little boy. His words touched me deeply, and I am in tears. He continues to fill hearts with life. Thanks for sharing him with us.

Maggie May said...

Makes me want to cry and praise life at the same time.

Princess Kate said...

Jack surely was and is touched by God. You are always in my prayers.

Unknown said...

We can all use a reminder to fill our hearts with life.

Lady Courtney said...

Wow, wow! I have thought that Jack was an angel sent to earth, and I think I know it now. I'm sorry his time here was so short, but the work that he continues, and yes he is continuing, is great! Bless you all. I think of you all often, very often.

Unknown said...

This is one of those days when I don't have adequate words to express how beautiful and touching this is.

And I really CAN'T WAIT to meet Jack one day.

Susan said...

I love this so much. A wonderful memory.

Anonymous said...

Ohh--sooo sweet! What a beautiful memory. Thinking of those chubby, little toddler hands...
XO! NoVa mom Jen

Unknown said...

I followed GrahamForeverInMyHeart to your blog, and I'm glad I did.

Kathy at kissing the frog said...

Wonderful, sweet memory! xoxo