Email from The Beat Goes On

SUFFERING AND HOPE

5/5/23 # 2

Losing my child and

living with sorrow & hope

by Diana Gorham

When the solid foundation of life is shattered, we face the after tremors for a lifetime. We call upon the “first responders” as is done in any emergency or catastrophe. For some, it may be a bedrock of friendship and strength we receive from our family & friends who lift us up when we fall. Nourishing our body with wholesome food and nourishing the soul with what is holy. Meditation, for many, is an amazing tool, providing one realizes it can reveal our inner struggles that lie in the crevices of our being. All teachers present themselves along our journey, providing us with their wisdom. My youngest son crossed over in 2013, and it has been a storm with many dimensions for me. I must say there was no running for cover; this was one storm that had to be faced head-on. For it was by leaning into the suffering of my sorrow that the sails of my soul were filled with new hope. (May 29, 2015)

I have been humbled by my association with Diana and the parents in St. Louis who have lost a child. Angel Moms over St. Louis is a vibrant community of Moms, Dads, and Grandparents who have suffered the unthinkable loss of a precious and irreplaceable child. Their group provides support and healing through monthly gatherings, a Facebook support community, and the Angel Memorial Garden at Heartland Park in Wentzville, MO. Sunday is International Bereaved Mother’s Day.

SONG OF THE WEEK: "Tears and Love." I took an older song of mine and wrote new words to honor the strength and courage of these parents. LINK

Tears & Love

My little baby, someone save me.

Can’t believe you’re gone, for so long, who set you free?

I was not ready; I’m still not steady.

You’re no longer here, oh my dear, please pray with me.

Our strength is in the hands of the ones who pull us up.

Our hope is in the hearts of the ones who never give up.

Our tears are shared by all from all over this land.

Our love will make us strong; our love will help us stand.

Look beyond their graves; I want to be so brave.

Words of loss, oh the costs, their memories must be saved.

What can I do when I’m so blue?

Look within, look for friends, and I look to you.

My peace will come; I’ve just begun.

To reaching out, finding faith in doubt, no longer on the run.

From death to life, oh yes, I’ll fight.

With courage to go on; andhelp from beyond, I will make this right.

MUSIC FOR TEARS AND LOVE: LINK

A GOOD PICTURE: Taken by Donna Newby Kirk, Diana Gorham’s sister as the two were walking on a beach at sunset. They were both astonished by the heart shape waves!

FOLLOW UP: If you or someone you know would like to connect with the Angel Moms Group, go to LINK, click on SIGN UP, scroll down the page and click on CONTACT and make a request.

A FEW GOOD QUOTES:

“Grief and joy can walk hand in hand.” Diana Gorham

“It was love, and I lived in it. And it is grief, and I will carry it.” - Chloe Frayne, Poet

“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.” - William Shakespeare

“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” Irving Berlin

“When a parent dies, they are buried in the ground. When a child dies, they are buried in the parent’s heart.” - Korean Proverb

“Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” – Emily Dickinson

SOME GOOD RESOURCES:

Angels Moms over St. Louis Website. LINK

International Bereaved Mother’s Day is observed on the first Sunday in May every year; this year it will be marked on May 7. LINK

Weavings retreat brings hope to mothers grieving the loss of a child LINK

A GOOD SONG: "Tears in Heaven" Eric Clapton wrote this song to deal with the death of his 4-year-old son. LINK

A GOOD POEM:

Her Name Sings My Soul

Author Unknown

The mention of my child’s name

May bring tears to my eyes,

But it never fails to bring

Music to my ears.

If you are really my friend,

Let me hear the beautiful music of her name.

It soothes my broken heart

And sings to my soul.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN:

Reader Reflections on AMAZEMENT:

How wonderful. I loved this and look forward to more. Rumi and Oliver are two of my absolute favorites! You've inspired me to do a number of things, the first is getting my next edition of "A Poem a Day." - AA

I loved that song!!! It brought tears to my eyes when you were talking about the Aspens quaking in the wind!!! I would love to fall into a place where everything was music! In Cedaredge, CO, where I was raised, we called them Quakies, not Aspen trees. It was not until I was older that I knew they were called Aspens! - KS

As I listened to the song, I was transported to the mountains, the clear streams, and all the surrounding beauty that nature offers us to feed upon. Filled with gratitude and a sense of peace through your many gifts that you share abundantly with others. I recently read an old saying by a monk," A still pond reflects the sun perfectly; God is the sun, and you are the lake." Thank you for being a reflection of our Creator. - DG

I’m glad to see you back up and writing and singing again. Enjoyed the new song very much, sitting on the back porch being serenaded by you, Steve, and all the birds around me. - SG

Any thoughts about this week's song, Diana's reflection, the quotes, or anything else you encountered in this blog? How do you experience SUFFERING AND HOPE in your life? Send comments to:

jim51ford@outlook.com

or reply to the email this blog came in.

I look forward to publishing some of the comments I receive.

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