Thank You For Seven Years of Faithful Listening!

Seven (!) years ago today I shared my first post in this space.

It was a timid foray into the wider world just a year and a half after Dominic ran ahead to Heaven.

I was truly frightened that once I began sharing my intimate thoughts, good (and not-so-good) experiences and things I was learning in this Valley of the Shadow of Death I would either: (1) find out no one really cared and/or; (2) offend friends and family.

But what motivated me to overcome that fear was a sense that for all the information out there on grief in general, I couldn’t find nearly enough first-person experience written in bite-sized chunks on child loss in particular.

https://thelifeididntchoose.com/2019/06/25/why-am-i-still-writing-about-loss-five-years-out/

After Dom ran ahead, it was difficult for me to sit down and read a whole book. I needed bits I could read on a single computer screen.

I also needed someone to be upfront and honest about what it meant to continue to cling to faith even when it was hard and even when it meant acknowledging doubts and living with unanswered questions.

https://thelifeididntchoose.com/2016/02/04/debate/

It’s difficult to believe now with the plethora of popular books (both secular and religious) on “open broken” but seven years ago, there weren’t many around.

So I decided I’d just say what I had to say and let it fall on the ears that might need to hear it regardless of who didn’t like it or chose to ignore it.

And here we are seven years later.

I don’t know how long I’ll keep writing-probably as long as I feel like I have something to say, people are listening and my fingers can still tap-tap-tap the keyboard.

For now, writing is what I do.

Even when life interrupts almost everything else I will find a few moments to jot down thoughts and hit “publish”.

I know some posts are much thinner than others-maybe just a meme or two and an encouraging word. Some are just reworked posts from years gone by.

But I want to show up in case THIS morning someone’s having an especially rotten one.

https://thelifeididntchoose.com/2017/10/12/you-are-not-alone/

I want you to know that there IS life after child loss.

A very different life.

A harder life.

A life you didn’t want and wouldn’t ever choose, but life nonetheless.

And I appreciate every. single. heart. who joins me here and cheers me (and others!) along.

https://thelifeididntchoose.com/2016/07/20/you-are-not-crazy/

Author: Melanie

I am a shepherd, wife and mother of four amazing children, three that walk the earth with me and one who lives with Jesus. This is a record of my grief journey and a look into the life I didn't choose. If you are interested in joining a community of bereaved parents leaning on the promises of God in Christ, please like the public Facebook page, "Heartache and Hope: Life After Losing a Child" and join the conversation.

17 thoughts on “Thank You For Seven Years of Faithful Listening!”

    1. I am so very sorry for your pain and loss, Marie. It’s a hard, hard burden to bear and it takes so much work and so much time and so much energy to make it through. No wonder you are weary!

      I’m thankful the posts help your heart. You are not alone and you CAN make it. One breath at a time, dear heart, one breath at a time.

      Praying you feel the Father’s loving arms around you and you hear Him whisper courage to your soul. ❤

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  2. Sending lots of prayers and hugs today🙏you have helped me more than you will ever know! I really appreciate your honesty and how open you are about the hurt of losing a child 😢

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  4. Please keep writing. I read your blog every morning. The quotes and encouraging words help so much. You reinforce that we grieve with hope that we will see our sons again. Thank you!

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  7. Thank you for being who you are. Next month is seven years since we lost our precious Son. Your words have carried this broken Father through many days. I am so grateful to know, that through your words, none of us are alone in this valley. God Bless you and please keep sharing your heart.
    Jon

    Jon S. Hodgskin
    Hodgskin Outdoor Living, Inc.

    Please excuse any misspelled or grammatical errors as this is being sent from my IPhone

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  8. I am very appreciate of the fact that you keep going.
    You keep shining the light on what is important.
    You point out that I am not alone and in this, I am “normal “.
    Thank you for what you are doing.

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  9. Finding your blog was a life saver for me Melaine. You put into words everything I was feeling but couldn’t express. You helped me stitch my broken bits together again, even though there were bits missing. All this whilst hanging on the the hem of His garment.

    May the Lord always keep you in his hand guiding way xxx yxxx

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