Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King…His love endures forever!
What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had. One filled with so many mixed emotions, but filled with utter thankfulness for our families and what has been over the last year. The past few days have been a little difficult because we thought our Thanksgiving would look different a few months ago, but this is our current situation and really, we have so much to be thankful for. We are given reminders that people have not forgotten about our babies and we are reminded through many hugs that we are not forgotten. Our little babies in heaven are such a big part of our life. Even though they were just a thought last Thanksgiving, they were already “created” in God’s plan. And they still live on – in Heaven, though not physically here with us this Thanksgiving. Dan and I have talked about them often lately and tears have fallen, but we just love them so much – they have been such a big part of our life for the past year. And that is something we were praying for – for children – and God answered that prayer. That gives us all the reason in the world to be thankful!
Like I said earlier, it is nice to know that people haven’t “forgotten.” This weekend I received a gift from my aunt – two owl ornaments and a cross called “The Reunion Heart.” I took a picture of it, but I can’t get it to download. Oh they brought some tears, but I was ready to shed them. We hung them proudly on the tree already and wrote “First Christmas 2012 – Hootie 1” on the back of them (Hootie 2 on the other). Along with the ornaments was a saying that my aunt had also given us (grab a Kleenex):
Christmas In Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven’s stars
Reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away that tear
For I am spending CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
That People hold so dear
But the sound of music can’t compare
With the CHRISTMAS CHOIR up here.
I have no words to tell you
of the JOY their voices bring
For it is beyond description
To HEAR THE ANGELS SING.
I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart
For I am spending CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.
I can’t tell you the SPLENDOR
Or the PEACE here in this place.
Can you just imagine CHRISTMAS
WITH OUR SAVIOR face to face?
I’ll ask him to lift your spirit
As I tell him of your love
So then PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
As you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful
And let your spirit sing
For I am spending CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN
And I’m walking WITH THE KING.
We have also been given other remembrances of our lil Hooties – I was given a necklace from a dear friend that has two sets of footprints with the date of their passing that says “In our hearts forever.” I LOVE wearing it! We also were given these two owl tea light holders – they are SO CUTE! This picture doesn’t do them justice 🙂
Thank you everyone for your cards, emails, and reminders that our lil babies are not forgotten about this holiday season. I can’t express enough to you all, how much it means to us.
So even though our babes spent Thanksgiving in heaven, there were plenty of thanks offered up to their Creator on their behalf! We continue to praise God for them because God used them to change our life, to draw us closer to Him, to give us the opportunity to be parents, and to have a relationship with Tim and Brenda, unlike any other.