Oliver's Story- Part Two

(If you haven't already, please first read part one.)



Mr. M and I had opted to do as much comfort care as Oliver needed. Part of the plan to make his short life as comfortable as possible was to leave the hospital as soon as was reasonable. When he was a day and a half old, we got to bring him home. I hadn't dared hope for that much time with him.

Oliver lived much longer than we ever hoped for. We had a birthday party for him when he was one week old. Then, on the evening of the eighth day, he started declining as we were warned that he would. Very early on the ninth day, he died silently in my arms.

The next few days and weeks were a blur. I remember flashes of things, like planning and speaking at his funeral. I remember people sending flowers and meals. I was so touched by the many expressions of love from neighbors, friends, and family. I remember after the calls and visits stopped. I remember sleeping late and having no motivation to care for myself.

As I continued to trudge through my grief, things very slowly began to heal. I will always dearly love and miss my son. However, I can look back now and view the grief separately from where I am today. Sometimes, the pain returns and I miss him as much as ever. But for the most part, I can talk about him openly and feel at peace.

 

 



 

Through this experience, I have learned and experienced so much. I have great compassion for anyone who has lost a child, under any circumstances or at any stage of life. I have come to develop a personal relationship with God, who also watched his own son die. I have a greater appreciation for what a sacrifice that was for God to allow Christ to come to Earth, suffer for our sins, and die at the hands of cruel men. How much must our Heavenly Father love us!

 

I testify to you that death is not the end of life. Our loved ones are near us and are aware of what is going on in our lives. They love us. They want the best for us. They are the angels around us, cheering us on in difficult times. If only our eyes were opened! Family ties can be sustained beyond the grave. I know this because I have felt the spirits of many departed family members, including my dear son. Because of these truths, we can have hope. I know that my son lives and I will see him again. How I look forward to that day! Our Lord, Jesus Christ, has taken upon himself all our pains and sorrows. No other person can honestly say that they know how we feel in a given situation. But he can.

 

 

 

Because Christ has felt the weight of our sufferings, he pleads with us to bring those heartaches to him. He knows how it feels and he knows how to help us heal. He wants to give us his love and support to ease our suffering. In whatever we experience, let us come to him. Let him heal us.

 

 

 

Final Thought

 

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."

 

Matthew 5:4