Despite miscarriage ~ Multitudes on Monday...Counting Gifts

  Last week, I purposefully began to count the gifts of my life.
              The gifts that I already have...

   And so this week, on a beautiful Palm Sunday morning, as I sat in the hospital Emergency room, knowing that I was in the process of losing my child, I had to grab my journal...

... and write through the tears....

    This list is what I was able to come up with despite my weeping heart...and despite a deep sense of loss...

23 ~ Catholic hospitals that administer the Eucharist (As I was admitted, it was the first thing that I asked for. I hungered for healing. Soul healing.)

24 ~ the meditative rhythm of the Rosary, even without holding one

25 ~ the ability to laugh through tears

26 ~ the caring words of Angie, who I know would drop anything to help me

27 ~ in-laws who take special care of my boys

28 ~ healing tears

29 ~ "Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed"

30 ~ the touch and tears of a caring Eucharistic minister

31 ~ Story people again....quiet spaces....a true testament to the beauty of a connected marriage....

32 ~ "Industrial" sub at Coppola's deli .... comfort food

33 ~ chocolate chai ice cream at Bev's homemade ice cream (plus bites of Tom's malted peanut butter)  :)

34 ~ browsing shelves at Chop Suey bookstore

35 ~ finding a Hardy Boys mystery for Joe

36 ~ finding a Moosewood Restaurant cookbook for me

37 ~ holding hands and walking silently with Tom (see #31)

38 ~ Fair trade co-op Ethiopian coffee from Ten Thousand Villages

39 ~ coming home to Joe and Max and the loving embraces of both

40 ~ that despite cold medical terms of tissue, fetus, sac..... Tom and I KNOW that OUR BABY, OUR CHILD, has become a member of the Communion of Saints

41 ~ the knowledge that we have a special guardian angel

42 ~ spending time with my parents, and the comfort of their words and hugs and prayers

43 ~ a bucket of KFC and sides... comfort food yet again

44 ~ sweet words and hugs of my sister-in-law Julie... and her ability to make me laugh through tears

45 ~ being curled up in the hammock and just....breathing and swaying....

46 ~ a long talk and reminiscing with Christine...

47 ~ a faith that embraces a culture of life ~ and being able to see Joe grow into the understanding that ALL LIFE IS PRECIOUS

48 ~ seeing women, beautifully pregnant, and being able to whisper a silent prayer for the continued blessing of their pregnancy...


Come join us in the gratitude community... here....