Our "New Normal."

I haven't written in awhile frankly because words have slipped through my mind like sand and they've come faster than I could even type. Part of it too, feels like what I'm saying over and over again is just beating the dead horse and it's hard to not feel like people are just done hearing about how I miss my baby and how I keep asking God "why?" Sometimes too, I just don't want to talk because it's too much to relive. Even "new normal" feels like a joke because nothing about this and our daily life feels anything close to "normal." I get out of the house, I look put together, but I don't feel any better, maybe just more functional. 

Grief still has no fix it's. No solutions. No timetable. No problem solver that's a cure all for the sadness that greets me each day when I think I'm going to wake up from this bad dream and it's all gonna be over with. Some think that if you just look at all the good in your life that will somehow overcome the loss. That's a lie. I look at my kids and thank God for the gift they are, for my husband who loves me in the most sacrificial way, for the many blessings we have, all of those point to the love God has for me, but that can never bring my Bobby back from the grave. I can never move on in my life without Bobby, even if he isn't physically present, for now we are a family of five. Grief makes people so uncomfortable, but the irony is that grief will inevitably find all of us. We all die, some tragically, our days our numbered, this world is fallen, and it hurts. 

The feelings are still coming out raw and the sadness I feel about the loss of Bobby still takes my breath away. Daily life still brings reminders of the nightmare we're living. Recently, it was doing my laundry and finding three pairs of maternity pants and the outfit I wore the day I came home from the hospital without Bobby. It was in the kitchen when I was making lunch on Father's Day and I looked down at something I dropped on the floor. The reality that I could see my feet and bend nimbly to pick it up was crushing. It was the family I saw in Target, a beautiful family of five: two girls and a tiny baby boy. It was the bill that came in the mail for the "you're baby isn't alive" anatomy scan. I wish I wasn't here right now. I wish I could make the sadness leave. 

The closer I get to August the heavier the grief feels. I didn't expect that. For some reason I thought experiencing his death, saying my final goodbye, and my due date would be the hardest part and in the meantime life would just go on. The adrenaline has worn off and in so many ways the rubber has met the road. This is my life and I have to go on, one day at a time. Instead of counting down the weeks until I get to hold my boy, I'm counting down the weeks since I held my boy in my arms. It's backwards. It's broken. And it's a mess that only Jesus can bring beauty out of. 

Grief is a friend too. To deny it, is to deny yourself the healing you need to move forward. Loss is meant to be grieved. Some days its good to stare death in the face and remember that loss hurts and it changes your life forever. A trusted counselor reminded me that this is a process, I'm in transition, that I'm never going to be who I was before and I'm not yet who I'm going to be "after the storm." Reminders like that help on the days that I just want to pull the covers over my head and wave the flag of defeat. Defeat is something I feel and face every day. My hope and faith in Jesus are all I have to overcome it. When darkness seems to hide His face, faith, even as small as a mustard seed is something of worth to my God. Great faith can be small. God promises to not crush the bruised reed. He promises to be faithful even when I'm faithless. He promises to never leave me or forsake me. These are the promises I cling to when I want to give up and when I can't stop asking "why oh Lord?"

It's not a matter of being lifted out of the pit, it's a matter of lifting you're eyes in the pit to the one who knows your suffering and gives a purpose for your pain. Some days all I can do is lift my eyes and that's what his word talks of time and time again. I still don't understand why he hasn't lifted me out, but I'm here and there's nothing in my power I can do to change it. 

Bobby, you are remembered and missed every day. It comforts me to know you will always be my boy. You died in the safety of my womb, you knew my voice, and the sound of my heart beating. You will always be a part of me.  I'm in this pit because I'm your Momma and I love you.

A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes

"No matter how your heart is grieving if you keep on believing..." - Cinderella 

Disney speaks to my heart sometimes and it's probably because I love it so much. 

We had a dream. A wish. And a plan. Disney as a family in 2015, with a squishy little boy who could camp out in the stroller or sleep in the Ergo the whole time. I'm super practical and 6 months seemed like the perfect age to take him. I didn't want to go pregnant, I didn't want to go with a newborn, and we wanted to go before Edith turned 3 to save money on park tickets. So we narrowed it down to a week in February/March, I did all my research, picked our top 3 resort hotels, and I started saving towards an ambitious goal to make those dreams a reality. 

Ever since our trip in April 2013 not a day has passed that Audrey has not asked when "are we going back" and prayed many prayers "that daddy would sell a lot of paintings so we could go to Disney world." Some people might think it crazy: huge crowds, long lines, humid heat, and crying kids. For me and our family, Disney is a place with the happiest of memories, where heaven touches earth, and the time we have as a family there is priceless. I get teary eyed during the fireworks show in front of Cinderella's castle and before we lost Bobby, I wasn't a crier. 

I hope that Bobby knows its one of his Mommy's favorite places on earth. I hope Mama Bear (she and I share a similar deep love of all things Disney and the way she raised her kids with that love for the magic is the same vision I have for raising ours) has already taken him on Small world, introduced him to Mickey, and walked down Main Street to the sound of the singing barbershop quartet with Cinderella's castle in view. I hope some day when I get to be with him in heaven I can can experience all those things with him too. 

The closest I've come to a "fix it" (and I know it truly isn't) solution to all this sadness is getting on a plane and flying there as a family. That's how much I love it. It fills a place in my heart that few things can and seeing the sheer wonder in my girls eyes when they step foot in the parks is like nothing else I've experienced with them. It's magical in a way and you can't help but be swept up in the joy of it all.

When we found out about Bobby, those dreams were put off and money that was set aside for our trip went towards making a different kind of place for our Bobby to be laid to rest. God provided for us in huge ways in that, but needless to say, the whole financial aspect for us has felt like another burden was added. The financial cares of medical bills and burying a child are the worst kind of reminders of this reality we live in. At moments it's hard to not feel crippled by the sheer weight of it. 4 weeks to the day, the hospital bill came in the mail and it felt like a bad joke. Thankfully, that bill was covered by the hospital (a whole story for another time as to why). 

Our dreams are put on hold and our seemingly "perfect" plans have come crashing down on every front. Losing Bobby has brought so much sadness, but it's a life that we didn't get to have with him that I grieve for too. Sharing my favorite place with my boy was something I longed to do and I had no doubt he would have loved Disney just as much as his Mommy and sisters.

About 4 weeks ago a package came to our doorstep from one of my dearest friends. Inside were the most perfect little mouse ears and embroidered on the back was his name. There aren't words for a gift like that. Not only did it bless me because he was remembered, it brought tears to my eyes because whenever we go, he will be a part of it. I told Seth I would proudly wear those ears the whole time were there. 

I love Disney and I long to go, but I follow and trust in a Savior who's plans are better than mine. I don't understand why I don't get to take my little boy with me, I don't understand why He made Bobby the way he did, I don't understand why He took him when he did, but I know He's good. I wish our dreams were becoming a reality when I wanted them to be, but no matter what my dreams may be Gods plans are always better. It sucks. It hurts. It's hard to reconcile it all in my mind and there's pain that won't go away, but somehow it's gonna all work out. I can't wait to see that unfold, I can't wait to tell that story of God's faithfulness on the other side, I can't wait to hold Bobby again. 

For now, I hold fast to the promises God has made in his word even if they don't always make sense to me every day. I know he hears our prayers and I know He knows the desires of this Mama's broken heart. I believe, with confidence, He will make a way for us to go. To have that time at Disney as a family to remember and celebrate our little boys life. When we do go, I know I will have that experience as a Mom to 3 beautiful children even if Bobby only comes with me in my heart. 

When Grief is Unreal.

(My girls playing in our front yard, having a tea party, with "Bobby Bear." One of the sweetest gifts and reminders that even though Bobby is absent from us, his memory will always be a part of us and in a way, he is with us. Moments like this and when reminders of him come in this way it brings tears to my eyes.) 

I'm pretty sure whoever said "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" was wrong. It's a trite phrase that "sounds right," but doesn't bring any sort of comfort to someone who, in the moment, is feeling overwhelmed with grief. I'm talking about the kind of experience the psalmist wrote about: "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me." This is where I find myself. My Dad died this past week, on Mother's Day, and the wave of grief, that follows death is one that hits you hard. It knocks you off your feet, leaves you stunned and completely at a loss for words. The timing feels unreal. First my son and now my Dad. It's a lot. From the outside looking in it feels like a tsunami hit our lives and I'm clinging to Jesus, watching my world wash out to sea. If there was a category to put all this heaviness, I'm pretty sure it would be flooded. God does give you more than you can handle and it's why I need him. I can't carry all this heaviness and loss and I certainly can't understand it without Him. 

Summer is coming soon and it has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Long warm sunny days, pool play dates, ice cream at Jimmie cone, beach trips, and the list goes on. It's one of the most anticipated seasons for our family and one where so many memories are made. I'm not looking forward to summer this year, as sad as that is for me to say. Instead of counting down the days to my due date, nesting inside to stay cool, complaining of cankles, and picking berries at Butlers with a huge belly, I'll be remembering my little boy and grieving his loss that still feels so fresh. Instead of calling my Dad on Father's Day, I'll be planning a family gathering to honor him and spread his ashes. 

The heat and humidity won't bother me so much, I won't be nearly as short of breath, and that prize of holding my boy won't be waiting for me in August. These reminders hurt and it makes me realize how much death stings. I still miss Bobby. I'm still sad that this is my life. I'm still holding onto hope that this is gonna work out even though this won't be a summer of dreams fulfilled. 

Bobby's life matters because there's real life, "this is hard", "life sucks", "I can't see the light in the darkness" kind of faith to be lived out for the glory of God. I'm often writing this story when I'm watching the sun rise on a sleepless night, when the tears seem to come in the place of words, when God feels most distant and I need to remember the hope I have as much as I need to remember Bobby's life. God's plan for my life and Bobby's are bigger than ourselves. Trusting in Christ doesn't mean the road is easy and all your troubles go away. Losing a child and then a father, especially this way, can feel cruel. In spite of how it feels, I know my Savior knew what it was like to be forsaken so I wouldn't ever have to be forsaken in my darkest night. I know my Savior is "a man of sorrows" and "acquainted with grief." I know my Savior cries with me because he lived in the flesh, he knew humanity, he was "deeply troubled in his spirit" and he wept with Lazarus' family. 

In the grief of death, my Savior's response wasn't to teach and wasn't to fix it, he was there to come alongside the hurting and to cry with them. He is here with us. We are not alone. I have felt that in every card written, every meal made, every bathroom cleaned, and every flower arrangement sent. We have been loved on in the ways our Savior would have when he walked the earth. We have felt this outpouring in ways we never could have expected and we are often speechless at the kindness we have been shown. This dark place would feel even darker if it weren't for so many who are simply walking alongside us, remembering our Bobby, praying for us and helping us with so many practical needs so we can simply grieve. 

All the way my Savior leads me;
  What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
  Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
  Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
  Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
  Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
  And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me;
  Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
  In my Father’s blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
  Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way.

One Month Later

(Me & my girls visiting Bobby last week. It was my first visit.)

I feel like a stripped down version of myself, rubbed against sand paper, my thoughts and feelings still coming out very raw. It's been a month since we found out that Bobby died and just a few days shy of his birthday. I've experienced all the after affects of having a baby, but no baby. My milk came and went, hot flashes, night sweats, and sleepless nights. It's funny because looking back on this month, it's with similar feelings and experiences of the newborn stage. The thought of "where did the time go?", "How has it been a month already?" Instead of sitting in a doctors office for a 4 week well visit, I'm sitting in a waiting room at a grief counselors office just across the street from our pediatrician. Life can feel ironic at times.

I went into my sonogram appointment on April 7 and literally came out a different person at the end of the day on April 10. My wandering, anxious thoughts turned into a nightmare of a reality. I miss what life was like before our loss. I miss laughing without wanting to cry after because I think of Bobby and his absence from our lives. I miss enjoying people, rather than just wanting to be alone. I miss looking forward to things and the anticipation of his arrival. The planning, the projects, the dreaming of our future. I miss the innocence of those days, the beautiful simplicity of them. 

Grief was made to be experienced and felt, it's a process, it takes time. Here I am. A month later. Unfortunately, it still sucks. I still cry a lot. I still miss my baby. I still have moments throughout the day when it feels like my life is over. I didn't expect to be better by now, but I guess I expected some progress and a lot of days it's hard for me to see. This is hell. But I'm fighting. I'm taking steps to move forward, to heal and to grieve. Although it's discouraging, the slow goings of this remind me that grief doesn't work on a timetable, I can't will myself to get over this loss, and there are still big things to put behind me.

This week I took steps forward in the darkness and although it never would have been a big deal in my world before, it is now.

I had my first session with an amazing grief counselor. We talked a lot about that first week, how its changed me, and how to live life in my "new normal." I left feeling truly helped and cared for. Having a safe place like that to go is so huge for me right now.  

I contacted the nurse manager at the hospital to discuss the details of my awful nurse experience on the day Bobby was born. Unfortunately, some of the things she did that day have only added to my grief. Although it's painful to talk about I know it will help me move forward. 

We all went out for a family lunch even though there are reminders everywhere when you leave the house. There's no preparing for them. In a lot of ways it's like stepping on a land mine. You step on it. Hear it click. You walk away and it blows up in your face. On this outing, it was a newborn cry in the photo studio on my way to the bathroom in what I thought was a safe place of JC Penney. 

I checked the mail, even though I find reminders there too. Bobby's crib card came and that brought on a whole onslaught of feelings and emotions. I'm so glad to have those things of his to keep, but it's the sad reminder that I left the hospital with no baby in my arms.

We visited Seth at work and spent the morning at Ikea with friends. By some miracle, we made it out the door by 10:15am with 3 kids, snacks and sippy cups. When we get there to unload I realized that I left my purse at home and have no wallet. Thank Jesus for generous friends to cover your tail, but even the most obvious things don't cross my mind these days. I know these things happen to every Mom on any given day, but the obvious things seem to be smacking me in the face more often than before. Even being there was hard, I wanted to go, but hated the reason. I got prints done of Bobby to hang around the house and Ikea is one of the best place to find frames, kids eat free on Tuesdays, so I did it. It was a hard feeling to shake during our time there and another reminder of how life has changed. Things that would have been fun before bring on feelings of sadness now. 

I don't share my life or Bobby's story to illicit pity or to try to be a hero. I don't see myself as amazing or my suffering as spectacular. I don't see this trial as a reason to put myself on a pedestal, to elevate myself, and cry "woe is me." In a lot of ways, there are others who have suffered far greater losses. This is my life and I share it because I hope it can be a means for others to understand what it's like to walk through hell and come out on the other side. To show what its like to be weak, but to be held up by the strength that comes from Jesus. I don't have it all figured out. I struggle to believe sometimes. But my life and this story is authored by Jesus. He bought me. He owns me. He is the one who keeps me. He's engraved me on the palms of his hands and I know he is the one who is carrying me through my darkest night.

Nancy Guthrie's writings have been a huge source of help to me in this time. I had to share this quote from one of her books because it spoke to me and its the truth:

"God does not discount or dismiss your tears. They are precious to him because you are precious to him. In fact, when God reveals glimpses of the culmination of human history--in a future that will fully reveal and be fully worthy of his glory--he includes, as a centerpiece, this promise in Isaiah 25:8 'The sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.' Picture in your mind right now the Lord of the universe reaching down to gently and lovingly wipe away your tears. He doesn't ignore them or tell you that if you really had faith you wouldn't cry. He wipes them away. And Revelation 21:4 tells us that not only will he wipe away tears, he will remove all of the sorrow that caused them. God's plan for the future is to destroy forever the evil that has brought you so much pain and then to live forever with you in a place he has lovingly prepared where there will be no more tears."

I can't wait for that place with no more sadness or pain or loss. I can't wait for all of the tears to be wiped away. I wake up ever day with a deeper longing for heaven than the day before. 

Bobby's Story in Pictures.

In Memory of Bobby, who has changed our lives forever. 

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters

Your sovereign hand

Will be my guide

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me

You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name

And keep my eyes above the waves

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace

For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever You would call me

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander

And my faith will be made stronger

In the presence of my Savior

-Hillsong, Oceans 

We picked this song to be sung at Bobby's burial and it only seemed fitting to share his life in pictures with the lyrics because of the truth it has pointed us towards in the midst of our suffering. 

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit,who has been given to us.

(Photo credit for all the pictures shared here goes to: Lydia Jane and Peter Bang. Thank you.)

Our First Hello & Our Last Goodbye

(PC: Peter Bang, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep)

There's no feeling on earth like meeting and holding your child for the first time. Although the outcome for this birth was different, my anticipation for that moment was the same. I loved my boy and holding him in my arms was all I could think of and what kept me pushing through when the wait felt like forever. Bobby was born at 8:50am and I'll never forget seeing him for the very first time. This tiny little human was laid on my chest, only with no cry and no first breath, but that can never change a Momma's love. His Daddy proudly cut his cord. 

The morning Bobby was born the bright pink sunrise filled the sky outside the big windows in the labor and delivery room. The promise of a new day and an increasing confidence that we would meet our son (in the same room his big sister Audrey was born in) gave me fresh hope. It had been 24 hours since we walked into the hospital to be induced and the wait, at times, especially in the night, seemed excruciating. There were moments when I questioned God and wondered why he was putting me through this hell of a time when the circumstances we found ourselves in were already bleak. 

Our day began with heaven coming down to earth. We held him while he was already being held in our Savior's arms. We wept for the loss and sadness we felt, but we had confidence that in heaven he was perfect and whole. We had a whole day to be with him and hold him close, to snuggle him and sleep with him, to marvel over the beauty of God's amazing creation, to count his fingers and his toes. We cried, visited with friends, took pictures, and said our goodbyes. It was a beautiful day I'll remember always and one that has changed me forever. 

Saying goodbye and burying a child is the most unnatural feeling and agonizing experience for a parent. I hate it. Jesus hates it. He weeps with us and counts every tear. I could have held Bobby forever, but I knew and I could see his frail body was not made for earth. He was made for heaven. As the day went on you could see the decay happening before your eyes and it was heartbreaking. I didn't think I would come to a place of peace, but knowing he was already in a place where he was complete gave me peace to leave my son and say my final goodbye. 

As beautiful as that day was I can't recount it without tears and sadness. Grief doesn't leave when you say that final goodbye. I wish it did. In many ways it just begins. I wish life could just stop so you could just grieve. I wish I could hold my baby again. I wish that there weren't days when it didn't feel like my life was over. I wish that there weren't days that I didn't just want to be alone. I wish that there weren't days that I didn't want to get out of bed. I wish I didn't feel "Mom guilt." I wish Bobby had a chance to walk this earth. I wish everything was made right now as Bobby is made right in heaven. Earth is a fallen world, broken, and incomplete, but God is with me. I am never truly alone or forsaken. I know I can't and won't come out on the other side of this without Jesus. 

I'm grateful God knew what was best and that His plan was better than mine for the timing of Bobby's arrival.  In the night I cried over the agony of waiting for his arrival, but in the morning I understood God's plan and the gift that waiting was. Had he been born in the night we never would have the kind of time with him that we so desperately needed. I think what God taught me through my labor with Bobby is one that parallels our current experience. Though we find ourself in a place that feels dark, sad, filled with pain, and we don't know how long this night will be, God is at work and his outcome is better than our "perfect" plans. I cling to that truth every day. I don't understand, I don't know how this will all work out, I don't know how God will bring beauty from ashes. But he's given me glimpses of that hope I'm holding onto. 

My best friend shared this quote with me today, I couldn't have said it better myself:

"It is much better to be left with the question in the night, 'What in the world are you doing, Lord?' than to think, 'You know, I cannot ask the Lord what he is doing, because he is not in this. I am on my own.'" (Ligon Duncan Does Grace Grow Best in Winter)

As a brief aside, thank you for all the comments and love from my writing. Many have asked me to keep writing. This has been a helpful outlet for me in my grief and it helps me to share it. I'm usually a private person, especially with my grief, but there is something marvelous and beautiful that is going to come from these ashes and I want the world to see how great is the God we believe in. This is going to be a story of God's faithfulness and redemption, with twists and turns, peaks and valleys, but in the end I believe I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Bobby's story is going to be bigger than his tiny and short life. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 

2 Corinthians 4:9 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." (Thanks Ally for writing and sharing this verse with me). 

When Grief Finds You.

(PC: Lydia Jane)

The morning of my follow up appointment my stomach was in knots. The thought of leaving the house right now can bring on anxiety. You never know what you're gonna see, who you're gonna see or what they're gonna say. When you're in a fragile place like myself memories of things and people's words can feel like huge rocks being thrown at a glass house. It doesn't take a lot to break me down and even people's well meaning words can hurt and bring sad reminders. 

Home is a safe place for me. It's been a quiet place too. Everyone who comes and goes knows what we're walking through and are carrying this burden with us. I don't have to explain myself and being understood means the world. I can cry if I want to and not have to say why or look out of place. I knew my appointment was a hurdle to get over. I knew I would have to go sit in a waiting room full of healthy, happy, big belly expectant mothers. I'm not unhappy for them or would want to have others join me in my misery, but it stings. It's a reminder of my reality. I would have been 23 weeks today and probably sitting in one of those chairs, waiting. 

They called me back just like a normal appointment. I stepped on the scale begrudgingly. Went into the room, sat on the table. Thinking ok, I survived the worst, the waiting room is over. While my nurse was checking my blood pressure it became increasingly clear from her questions that she wasn't tracking that this was not a routine 2 week post partum follow up. 

Nurse: "Is your milk coming in?"

Me: "Yeah." 

Nurse: "Are you still taking your prenatal vitamins."

Me: "No, I stopped and I honestly haven't remembered." 

Nurse: "Are you breastfeeding?"

Me: "No. My baby died."

(Silence) 

Nurse: "Ok, well you should still be taking prenatal vitamins."

I didn't want to talk about prenatal vitamins, or my milk coming in, and I certainly didn't have anything to say about breastfeeding. She didn't even say sorry and I just wanted her to get out of the room. I wanted to cry alone and not shed a tear in front of someone who didn't care enough to take a look at my chart. Assuming she didn't mean to skip over it, the reminder hurt like hell. To have to say that out loud, well, I can't find the words to describe what swallowing that one felt like. Death stings. 

My midwife, Angel, came in and I burst into tears. She gave me a hug and from the sound of her voice I knew she understood. She knew this was hard and a loss like this is awful. We talked and talked some more, she told me I'm "normal" that "this is a part of the grieving process" and "you're not crazy." It's validating to hear things like that. I need to hear that. Grief takes time and while it's rocking you, it rocks you. Especially when you look at yourself and you don't know who you are and unloading the dishwasher seems like an insurmountable task. 

Grief is something that comes from walking this road. It's unavoidable, unwanted, and often unexpected. Grief "reminders" come on days of the week and days of the month. 

Monday is the day we "found out."
Wednesday was my week mark. 
Thursday is the day he was born. 
Saturday is the day we buried him. 

August is a month I have no words for but I know God will be there. 

In the Target aisle, its the side table I wanted to use for his nursery. 

In H&M, its the baby clothes section. 

Before we lost Bobby I was not a crier. It took a lot to bring tears out of me and even when I did it was rare when the floodgates opened. It's even humbling for me to admit, that I've cried more these past two weeks than I have in my 31 years. I'm not the Janet I was before, at least for now. My mind runs on a single track, I can't process more than one thing at a time and things that were once familiar can overwhelm me. Add in not being able to eat or sleep and at moments I feel like a complete hot mess. Distant, distracted, exhausted, and emotional. I don't want to be, but I can't help it at times. Mom guilt too. I tell myself my girls won't remember, but it's hard to not feel like you're able to be the Mom you were or the kind of Mom you want. 

In a loss like this God can feel far off and distant. Aloof. Uncaring. Some days it can feel like I'm picking up the shattered pieces of this mess and trying to put it all back together. "Real life" days can feel very empty and sad. What I've come back to in those moments is that belief and faith are a choice. And it's a choice I have to make over and over and over again even when my feelings are greater than what I believe. Many times, I often see God's hand more than I "feel" His nearness, sometimes visa versa and sometimes not at all. That is what keeps me writing, I want to remember the deepest waters God brought us out from. 

On my very worst days and at my very worst moments (and there have been many) God never leaves me there. Ever. The lowest valleys and the deepest pits of my darkest night, God has never left me. 

"Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now." Oceans, Hillsong

"If I cannot trace his hand I can always trust his heart." Charles Spurgeon 

"If we are faithless, he remains faithful." 2 Timothy 2:13