Matthew's Funeral
What an amazing night it has been. We knew God was calling us to use Matthew's service as a memorial for other families who have also lost babies...but little did I know how powerful and important it was for other people to have this opportunity!
We set up a side table with flat glass stones for people to write their babies' names on...and some paper hearts for them to write messages to their little ones. Some brought booties or onesies...during the funeral, we put all these things around Matthew's little coffin. Afterward, we took all these items to bury with Matthew in the cemetery.
We had some "Certificates of Life" for people to take with them to honor their babies.
So many people (some we knew...others we didn't) came up to us at the reception sobbing...sharing their story of lost babies...as recently as 2 weeks ago and as long ago as 42 years. Husbands and wives alike wept and said they were so grateful for this opportunity to mourn their little ones. We were so touched by the stories and we made "heart connections" with people who have previously been just faces in the crowd at our huge church.
The music was perfect...our 12 yr old did a Scripture reading and was AMAZING! It was so very sweet. Everybody said that the most gut-wrenching moment was when Jason and I walked up to pick up Matthew's coffin and then we held it together and followed our pastor out of the sanctuary into the reception area.
We're heading to bed...so much I'd love to share, but we are going to sleep knowing that our baby helped so MANY families tonight...and for that we are so deeply grateful!!
We set up a side table with flat glass stones for people to write their babies' names on...and some paper hearts for them to write messages to their little ones. Some brought booties or onesies...during the funeral, we put all these things around Matthew's little coffin. Afterward, we took all these items to bury with Matthew in the cemetery.
We had some "Certificates of Life" for people to take with them to honor their babies.
So many people (some we knew...others we didn't) came up to us at the reception sobbing...sharing their story of lost babies...as recently as 2 weeks ago and as long ago as 42 years. Husbands and wives alike wept and said they were so grateful for this opportunity to mourn their little ones. We were so touched by the stories and we made "heart connections" with people who have previously been just faces in the crowd at our huge church.
The music was perfect...our 12 yr old did a Scripture reading and was AMAZING! It was so very sweet. Everybody said that the most gut-wrenching moment was when Jason and I walked up to pick up Matthew's coffin and then we held it together and followed our pastor out of the sanctuary into the reception area.
We're heading to bed...so much I'd love to share, but we are going to sleep knowing that our baby helped so MANY families tonight...and for that we are so deeply grateful!!
Replies
what a great thing you have done for those families! i am sure Matthew is so thankful and proud of you all!...(hugs)
So sweet and wonderful. Glad to hear that you found a peaceful and comforting way to say goodbye to your little angel while helping so many others. XO :)
I\'m glad that it went so well and you were able to say Goodbye to your sweet baby and helped so many others while sharing your grief. ((hugs))
What a beautiful way to remember Matthew. You helped many, many people. Big hugs to you. How is your daughter doing?
You know what\'s so strange, i dreamt last night that I was there with you and your family. How strange you know? But I don\'t even feel like I missed your beautifully sad day ... I\'m so proud you all turned it into what you did, what a blessing.
Love you. Miss you.
you are such an awesome and awe inspiring woman! thinking sooo much of others and letting others share in this experience. hope your sleep was restful
you are such an awesome and awe inspiring woman! thinking sooo much of others and letting others share in this experience. hope your sleep was restful
Thank you all. The one thing I THINK I may finally be understanding is that this grief process feels like a roller coaster. We are having a blessed and happy day so far today. We saw (and keep hearing from people) about how our loss has blessed others, and that sustains us right now. We know Matthew is beaming down from Heaven and he is with all of the other babies! We are all one big family and it is amazing the \"Sisterhood\" I feel with all of you and with all the beautiful women at our funeral last night.
But, about the roller coaster part. After a day like today, it kept catching me off-guard when I would suddenly fall apart again. It made me wonder if something was wrong with me, except I see that in your entries, too... Up and down...Thank God for all of you!! So, I am reminding myself that this journey will never end. It will always be full of happy moments and agonizing moments. It is ok.