Prayer Circles

Hello Everyone, ~ This is a very difficult time of the year for us moms. We know how difficult it is to try to get through our "special days" and the upcoming holidays! For, it is during these times that we miss our children so! We know that we can count on God, family and friends to help us get through the difficult days, but it doesn't stop the longing in our hearts. During these special days and holidays, we try to busy ourselves with other things, but the longing for our children is always there. During times like these, I try to block out the pain, and replace it as much as possible with all the fond memories I can recall. It doesn't always work well, but still, I realize that I must continue to make the effort; not just for myself, but mainly encourage other bereaved moms to do the same, as time goes slowly by. It is important for the newly bereaved moms to know how important it is to take all the time they need to grieve. To deny the pain is to prolong the deep indescribable grief! Grieving the loss of a child is sooo different from any grief that we have experienced due to any other loss! There is no greater love, in my opinion, than the unconditional love that exists between a mother and her child/children. That's why we must pray often for the strength we need to carry on in spite of what we are feeling deep within our hearts. We know all too well, that our precious children would not want us to live the rest of our lives grieving. If it were possible, they would tell us so! So, we do it, that is ... We make the effort to go on mainly because we know in our hearts that they would want us to! As Sandy often reminds us, ... God is good to us bereaved moms! He knows we can't do it alone! With His help, and the help and encouragement we receive from other moms who, like us, have known the pain of losing a child, we find the strength we so desperately need during times like these, to continue on our journey. And, as some of us who have been on our grief journey a bit longer will tell you newly bereaved moms, the pain will not always seem so unbearable. But, that takes a lot of time. Nothing will change the fact that we will never get over losing our children, but by faith, we know that we will embrace our children again someday ... And, when that day comes for each of us ... We will rejoice with our children, as well as our other loved ones ... FOREVER!

Dear God in Heaven, ~ Thank You for trusting me with one of your precious angels, whom I named Diane, to love with all of my heart and for allowing me to take good care of her to the best of my ability, while she was here on earth. Thank You, Father, for allowing me to teach her about You and Your unconditional love for all mankind, and about the price Your Son, Jesus, paid ... so that I would have the right to embrace her again someday in Your Kingdom ... As will all the other moms will do someday with their children. Thank You, heavenly Father! Thy Kingdom Come! In Jesus' name, Amen!

Hello Dear Sandy, ~ I thank God for using you and all the other moms who post here to give me the strength I need to carry on; to continue on my grief journey, knowing that I am being prayed for daily, as I in turn pray for all the moms who have lost their child/children. Our Father, God, is indeed wonderful about looking out for us; making sure we receive the help we need to climb out of the valley so that we can continue to reach back to other moms to help them do the same. I know I speak for all the other moms when I say, "We love you dearly, and we thank God for using you to help us regroup and make the effort to seek a little joy in spite of our pain and loss!" Even the newly bereaved moms who have joined us have already shown such compassion, and demonstrated such strength, even though they are in the very, very early stages of their grieving. What wonderful and caring spirits they all have! It always warms my heart to come here and read all the touching posts from all the moms who post here from time to time. Whether it's a valley day or a hilltop day, we know that it's ok; that no one will judge us! I just thank God for whispering in our ear to start this wonderful, compassionate prayer circle in your Shane's memory. :) I just know your Shane is smiling down on you ... Telling all of the other angles, "Yes, that's my mom!" and our angles smile back at him saying, "And that's my mom over there ... She just joined up" "And another angel will say, "Well, that's my mom right there ... She's been around a while, and she's helping your mom counsel some of the newer moms!" :)It's thoughts like these that gives me those "moments of peace" & even a bit of much needed joy, (now that much time has passed), for which we all pray! :) Isn't God wonderful! :)
MUCH PEACE, HEARTFELT PRAYERS & LOVE2 ALL!
Verna

Dear Debby, ~ You have been on my mind a lot. It is always a pleasure to come here and find a post of two from you. I feel all the love and effort you pour into your heartfelt prayers for all the moms who have lost their precious children, even as you, yourself, are grieving. You are truly a very compassionate person, and what a wonderful blessing it is that you have chosen to work with special needs children. They are very fortunate to have such a caring teacher. I pray often that God will bless you in your courses that you are taking and that He will help you through the difficult valley days as they come and go. Thank you and Sandy for your kind words concerning the poem that I shared. Sometimes I have to remind myself of the many things which God has revealed to me in the poems that I have written over the years. I wrote that poem shortly after joining this prayer circle. :) I pray that things are going well with you and that you are taking good care of yourself. Sometime I worry that you are working too hard and doing too much. :( Please take some time for yourself; even if it means dropping a class that you are taking. I know how important it is to take the required courses. Just don't over do it. It hasn't been that long. You are still in the early stages of grieving and you must be gentle and give yourself as much time as you feel you need to grieve. I pray that God will wrap you in His arms and give you peace and comfort today, and in the days ahead. Thanks again for your wonderful posts and prayers. God bless you, Deb.
Much love,
Verna

Hello Yvonne! ~ I was happy to read that your new granddaughter has arrived! I can just imagine the joy she has added to your family. But, I also understand how much you still miss your precious Joe. As you know all too well, we will always have those sad and painful moments that seem to come out of nowhere, even during something as wonderful as the birth of a precious child. Even our blessings can sometimes stir up the longing to embrace our precious children again! But, that's OK to feel that way! God knows how proud you are of your precious grandchild. But, He also knows and understands how very much you miss your precious Joe. So, if you find yourself in tears, just know that it is very, very normal what you are feeling. It does not take away the love you feel for your precious granddaughters; It just means that you still miss our Joe so very much. I pray that the days leading up to Joe's anniversary will not be too hard on you. It will be difficult, but all of us will storm heaven with heartfelt prayers to help you get through it. God bless you always, Yvonne, and please know that you are in my thoughts which places you in my prayers!
Much love,
Verna

Hi Verna, Shaner, Sandy and all of you wonderful moms. I need some help and advice from you experienced moms. God called my Solange Aug 15, 2002, ever since then I've been licing in my sister's house. I decided to go home last monday and its been vergy hard, Solange's room is as she left it, and everything in the house is about her,I live alone now with my little dog, but I don't know if I could go through with it, my friends' advice its for me to move to another place , I'm planning to build next to my sister but that will take at least a year. I don't know if I should move, I feel like I am running away from Solange's memories, but she will be with me always no matter where I am. This is my fist holiday which she always made a big deal about it, I'm having one of those valley days. I hardly sleep or eat since I moved back to the house. I feel this great pain no matter where I am, so I'm not sure if its worth it for me to move out. Any advice from you moms> I'll appreciate it also I need a lot of prayers, sometimes I think God its not listening. Thank you and all my love to you Selva

Hello Verna, it's so nice to see you posting again, I know how busy you are lately too, but I know that you always make the time to post here! Your post at the very top of the page is a very heartfelt one, and I know that all the mothers, newly bereaved or further along on their Journey will get much from it. There is strength in numbers, and together we can all help each other along on this Journey of Grief, to come out one day on the other side of it a stronger, faith-filled person, so that we too can fulfill our life's mission here on earth, and once again experience laughter, joy and happiness!
You're so right, our children would not want us to spend the rest of our lives in complete sadness, but for you newly bereaved moms, for now, just let the pain and tears be there, you NEED to grieve. Some of us who are further along on our Journey still have bad days, or 'valley' days as we call them here, in time you learn how to live with the pain, instead of it completely taking over you. But, as Verna says, it takes a lot of time, and at this Circle you can let your pain out, by letting it out, you slowly begin the healing process. That's why I started this Circle, God whispered in my ear one day that you're not alone, there are so many other moms and dads out there hurting too, and together, we can pray for each other, offer support, and love each mom unconditionally, just as God loves us. Thank you for your very kind words, Verna, and we all love you too, and every day I lift each mother up in prayer, it's the most powerful thing we can do for each other! I've said it before, this Circle is truly blessed with all the wonderful moms who post here, who through their own pain, pray for one another, support one another, and just love each other for the amazing women that they are! I love your analogy of our Angels smiling down on us, and yes, I can see them in Heaven doing just what you said! Yes, God is wonderful, He's an awesome God that we serve, and His love for us keeps us going, He is so good to us grieving moms! Much love and prayers to you, and all the other precious moms who post here, you all make this Circle so special! I am truly blessed to have met each and every one of you, you've helped me so much myself, and I ask Our Lord to bless you all mightily! Lots of love and prayers to all,
Luv Sandy

Hello Selva, I just finished my post and then saw your's, we must have been posting at the same time! Oh, I know how hearbreaking it must be for you to return to your house, filled with so many memories of your Solange, but when I was newly bereaved like you, I wanted to be around Shane's things, anything that reminded me of him, I hung onto for dear life. You say that you live alone, do you have family close by so that you're not alone all the time? I can only tell you what my Bereavement Counsellor told me, to hold off on any major life decisions for at least a year, because we're in so much pain for that first year, and our thought processing is focused totally on our grief. But you do whatever feels comfortable for you Selva, you're right, no matter where you go you're going to carry all those memories in your heart, they'll be there forever. If your having such a hard time sleeping, eating, Selva, have you talked this over with your Doctor? Sometimes we need a little help to get us through when we're newly bereaved. This holiday is going to be hard on you wherever you spend it, but I hope your family is there for you, everybody's greif is individual, some want to be around others, while some moms prefer to be alone. You do what you think and feel is best for you, perhaps some other moms have some ideas to share with you too. Oh, Selva, God DOES hear your prayers, He above all knows that you're in great pain, but we all have to go through it, as Verna said, the love bond between mother and child is so strong, that's why you're feeling so much pain right now, and it's been so recent for you! Please write back and let us know how you're doing, we all love you and are praying for you, and even if it doesn't seem like it right now, God is working in your life, He would never leave you! Much love and prayers to you Selva, God bless you,
Luv Sandy

Thank you Sandy soo much for answering me, the only family i have left is a sister and a brother, my sister lives about 15 minutes away and my brother lives about 1 hr away, they are always trying to help me and be with me but they have their lifes to take care of. My sister wants me to move back with her, she is divorced and lives alone, but she only has one bedroom so I've been sleeping in the couch and have no privacy to cry my heart out like sometimes I feel like. I'm going to my phycologist tomorrow, and alse will ask for her advice. I am not ready to put anything away, not yet, I go into her room and talked to her and pray, but its so hard specially at nights> I work during the days and my co workers are like family but at nights I feel very lonely, missing Solange ins and outs of the house, dinner time, her friends around, the telephone ringing at all times , her tantrums. her smile and her love. I know God hears my prayers maybe its me that don't listen to his answers. I should pay a little more attention to HIM. Thanks again. Love and God Bless You All. SElva

Hi rosybell, when I clicked onto the Circle this morning, I saw that it was already on page 87, so I thought that the previous page had filled up, and I missed your message as well as Deb's. I'm so sorry! Gosh yes, Our Heavenly Father has given you a wonderful gift, and I'm very blessed that He directed you to me, and touched my heart and soul with your poem. That's wonderful about your book, with your talent, I know it will be a bestseller! What a beautiful gift that God sent you when you were very ill, one of His beloved Angels, that's amazing, can you share what she said to you? And what a wonderful gift she gives to you from the Father, you are truly blessed, and pass the blessings along! That's what love is all about, isn't it! Thank you so much for posting back, and hope to hear from you again. May Our Lord bless you abundantly and shower you with His graces, love and prayers to you,
Luv Sandy

Hi Deb, just as I said to rosybell in the post above, I missed reading your post this morning, I'm so sorry! But I'm very happy to see you posting, we all love you here, and love to see your posts and prayers! I'm not doing too bad lately Deb, I've had some valley days too, and right now I don't even want to think about Christmas. The holidays just don't seem the same anymore, and I don't know if they ever will. I know you feel the same way, and I also know the other moms probably do too. I know Thanksgiving is going to be hard on everybody, but maybe Deb with you visiting with your mom, it won't be as bad as you're anticipating, maybe it'll do you some good to be around your family. Thanks for asking about me sweetie, everyone here is so wonderful, aren't they! Beautiful prayers for everyone Deb, and you know that our love and prayers are always with you too. How's work and school coming? Post back and let us know,
Luv Sandy

Hi Selva, I'm happy to hear that you have your sister to turn to, I know she must give you a lot of support and that's wondeful, some moms don't have much support and it makes it even harder of course. And it's terrific also that your co-workers are so supportive too, it helps to make going to work a little easier. I understand about how you feel having no privacy at your sister's house, but she sounds like she would be very understanding if you did cry your heart out. I pray that your psychologist can help you with all these decisions that are facing you right now. You don't need to put anything of Solange's away just yet, I didn't touch anything of my Shane's for 2 years. Whenever it feels comfortable for you is when you'll do it. Right now, it's too early in your grief. I know, I'd give anything to hear my Shane's voice again, see him walk through the door, pick up the phone and it would be one of his friends for him, have to listen to his music, :) all of these things are stored now in our hearts, and one day they won't be as painful for you, and you'll treasure all these memories so much! They're like little jewels sparkling in our hearts, all the wonderful memories that we have of our child. As I said, God knows of your pain right now, and watch for His signs, listen to your heart, He's whispering to you there! Love and prayers to you,
Luv Sandy

Thank you so much Verna for visiting my Solange's memorial and leaving such a beautiful prayer, it really made me feel a little better knowing that God is there for me too. Thank you Sandy for your words and your support. I thank God everyday that I 've found this prayer circle, to tell you the true I don't even know how, I think God took me there, so I can meet all of you wonderful moms and to understand and know that I am not alone in this awful pain and journey. You are Angels of God to me and to all the newly bereaved moms. Love Selva

Hi Selva, hope you're doing a little better today, just take one day at a time. I'm so happy that God directed you to the Circle, He's looking after you and very happy to read that it's helping you! No, you are never alone on the Journey, all of us moms are here for each other giving support and prayers, and Our Lord is walking right beside you as you travel this road. Thank you for your kind words, but that's what this Circle is all about, to help each other along as we all try to come to terms with the loss of one of our precious children, or in some cases, more than one child. Remember, love never dies, so the love that you shared with Solange is still there! Peace, love and prayers to you,
Luv Sandy

Hello Yvonne, we haven't heard from you this week, I hope you're doing OK, I know that Joe's Anniversary is coming up, and we all know how hard these 'special days' are, especially Anniveraries. You know you're in our love and prayers, and post when you feel up to it, just thinking about you lately,
Luv Sandy

Lord jesus touch the heart of the mourning and givethem peace. Bring love joy peace back into their lifes...Lord send angels of love to bestow it upon the mourning let them knw their loves ones are in heaven with you...Give peace to their hearts..Touch their broken heart and mend it back together with you love and mercy...thank u jesus

DEAR VERNA,
I HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE SOME TIME OFF THIS WEEKEND AND JUST RELAXE. I'M SO HAPPY THAT IT IS A FRIDAY AND WITH THE HOILDAYS IT IS VERY HARD FOR ME AS WELL AS THE OTHER MOMS HERE AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND THINKING OF ME. I HAVE DECIDED TO STAY HOME FROM WORK UNTIL THURSDAY NOW FOR SOME OF MY OWN TLC. REALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH THE CHILDREN AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SMILES THE GIVE ME WHEN THEY WALK IN THE DOOR IN THE MORNING AND YES THE HUGS AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO KNOW THEY ARE HAPPY.
PLEASE KNOW THAT I KEE YOU AND THE OTHER MOMS IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS DAILY AND I'M SO HAPPY TO HAVE COME TO THIS CIRCLE AND SHARED MY PAIN TO HELP EASE SOME OF IT WITH OTHER MOMS. GOD BLESS YOU AND MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OF YOU.
LUV DEBBY

DEAR SHANER,
WORK AND SCHOOL ARE GOING GREAT. SOME DAYS ARE A LITTLE MORE TOUGHER THAN OTHERS BUT OVER ALL THEY ARE GOING FINE. LIKE I SAID TO VERNA I HAVE DECIDED TO STAY HOME ACOUPLE OF DAYS AND TAKE CARE F MYSELF. I EED SOME IMES JUST TO RELAXE. THE HOLIDAYS ARE HARD FOR ALL OF US BUT WE HAVE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES OF OUR CHILDREN THAT WAY OUT SOME OF THE PAIN. PLEASE KNOW I THINK OF THE MOMS HEARE DAILY AND KEEP YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS DAILY. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. LUV DEBBY

I WILL POST AGAIN BUT NEED TO GET READY FOR WORK. DEAR FATHER, I ASK FOR YOUR PRAYERS TO THESE MOMS AND THEIR FAMILY AS WE ALL NEED SOME GUIDENCE WITH THE HOILDAYS COMING AND I SK THAT YOU HELP THEM THE RIGHT WAY TO EASE TH PAIN THEY ARE CARING , I ASK FOR PRAYERS TO GIVE THEM THE STRENGHT THEY NEED. I ASK THIS IN YOUR NAME, THE FATHER AMEN.

SAN GIULIANO DI PUGLIA, Italy (Nov. 1) - Emergency crews clawed through the rubble of a school Friday, frantically searching for children buried when an earthquake leveled their classrooms during a Halloween party. At least 24 people were killed, nearly all of them children.

Dear God, ~ All of us moms here know the pain of losing a precious child. Father, we lift up our heartfelt prayers to You right now, asking that you will wrap your arms around the parents, families, and friends of those precious children, their teachers, and others who lost their lives in this awful earthquake. God, we pray that others will be found alive and well, as the rescue workers continue in their efforts to locate other survivors. I ask these things in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!

AMEN.
Verna I will be praying for them too. God Bless You. Selva

Hello jesusbabygirl, and welcome to the Circle. Thank you so much for your beautiful prayer for us all, we truly appreciate it and love it when someone who hasn't lost a child posts here and offers up prayers for us. May God bless you in whatever way He knows you need,
Luv Sandy

Hi Deb, that's terrific that work and school are going well, I know how much you love working with the kids. Deb, you take some downtime for yourself, relax, do whatever you feel like doing, you deserve some rest, you're so busy with life, school, work, family, etc. Yes, take some much needed TLC for yourself! Lots of love and prayer to you, and what a beautiful prayer you posted yourself,
Luv Sandy

Hi Verna, thanks for posting about the tragedy here, I agree with Selva, AMEN, and I also read on CNN's webpage this morning that they pulled one child out this morning, Praise God! My prayers are with them that they find more survivors,
Luv Sandy

Hi Sandy!
Thanks for asking about me. I'm doing ok. This month is very hard for me and my family. My husband revaled to me last night that he's not doing very well right now and his co-workers are noticing the difference in him. I know it must be very hard for him even though he doesn't say a whole lot about it. It made me cry knowing he's having a hard time too. But we'll get through it by God's grace. Sometimes it's just hard to know what to do with my feelings, you know?
~~~For some who are new and don't know about my son. His name is Joseph and he was 24 years old when he was killed in a single car accident Nov. 20th, 1999. So it will be 3 years this month and it seems somewhat harder this year for some reason. And it might be because of all that has happened in our family this year. Good things!!! but bittersweet. Our youngest son got married in June. We had our first granddaughter born Aug. 16th, Zoe belongs to our oldest son. And last but not least our daughter gave birth 2 weeks ago today to Ruthie on Oct. 18th. These precious little girls are the 'Joy' of my life and that of Grandpa! I just wish that Joe could be here to celebrate these two new lives that God has given to our family. And of course our new daughter-in-law that Joe missed meeting by 1 hour. We are very happy about all that God has done for us, but it just isn't the same without Joe, as all of you know all too well in your own families.~~~
Anyway, Sandy, I hope you are doing ok. You are such a sweetheart to be concerned about me, with all the others here to write back to. God Bless your giving heart!
Dear Lord Jesus, I ask You to be with Sandy and all the other moms here and bless their day today. Guide their every footstep that leads to You and Your loving arms. Give them Your comfort and peace today. Bless them with Your love and allow them to know that You are right there beside them. God Bless you all.
Love, Yvonne<><