Monday, May 21, 2012

butterflies and new life

My best friend, Kala, surprised me with a beautiful package a couple weeks ago, for Bereaved Mother's Day. I opened it to find a necklace that I will now cherish always. The necklace just looks like it was made for me. This is what Kala wrote:

Dearest Hannah,

I saw this necklace and immediately thought to get it for you. Don't forget to open the locket. I have anointed it's inside with the Lily of the Valley oil. I wish I would have had it for her birthday, but friends never really need a special occasion to give a gift from the heart. The necklace was perfect even down to the butterfly charm dangling close to your heart, that would tell of new life each time it catches your eye. In this case, a special and sacred new life, the kind that never ends and rests always in the hope of life, of love.


Thank you so much for this, dear Kala! How thoughtful and sweet to anoint the inside with Lily of the Valley oil. I carry the fragrance of her life with me always. My world is colored with her life. I have my necklace with Lily's footprints on it, but am so thankful to now have something that honors both my babies. I plan on wearing this beautiful piece on each special day...Mother's Day. Christmas.

I carry my sweet babes with me each day, but they are especially on my heart on those days.

Kala wrote Lily and Luke inside of the locket. Along with their names, I wear the beautiful butterfly around my neck...symbolizing that I am born again in Christ. He makes all things new. He makes all things beautiful, in His time.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time..." ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

My old man is dead, and my new man is alive in Christ. Lily and Luke were a part of that transformation. When Jesus brought beauty from ashes and light from the midst of my darkness...just as a caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly. He redeemed me and made me a new creation, by His blood.

Butterflies now hold special significance in my life, just as lilies do. They also remind me that my babies have LIFE in Jesus and will be eternally safe in His loving arms. From my loving womb to His loving arms. Their bodies are whole and complete. They are new creations. Perfect. Always.

The following is a quote from the Duggars, written about their daughter, Jubilee Shalom, who was born into Heaven in the fall of 2011. It brings me peace when I think of my own sweet babies, born into Heaven.

"She is the quiet, gentle, and peaceful picture of new life leaving the cocoon, taking flight to Heaven."

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new!" ~2 Corinthians 5:17


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9 comments:

  1. What a beautiful necklace and wonderful friend you have!!

    xoxox

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  2. It is so beautiful, I love the locket! How very thoughtful of your friend.

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  3. Love that. Thanks for finding my blog... (I need to update!)

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  4. I love that you have a friend like this...
    I have a locket with Selah's photo in it and it is so precious to me.
    When I read your comment on my blog, I didn't make the connection that because you were coming on over from Tesha's you'd probably lost a little one as well.
    This binds my heart to yours...I will take time to read about little Lily's life.
    Blessings,
    Kara

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  5. Hi Hannah, thank you for visiting my blog and your sweet comments :) It is nice to "meet" you, and I will definitely be following your story of Lily, and I am so sorry for your loss. If we have to walk this hard road, atleast we all have eachother right? I love your locket and that was so sweet of your friend. I love all of my memorial jewelry cause it makes me feel like my girls are here with me more, something I can "touch" per se. Big hugs, Nan xoxoxo

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  6. Hi, Hannah. So glad you stopped by my blog! Looking forward to following. :)

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  7. Thank you for your comments on my blog.

    I am so very sorry for the loss of your daughter, Lily. That necklace is gorgeous. Losing a child is devastating and lonely journey, I definitely find comfort in "talking" and reading other BLM blogs.

    Definitely going to follow your blog :)

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  8. Thank you for following my blog. I have just read some of yours, and read the stories of your precious Lily and Luke. I'm so sorry you only got such a short time with each of them. You are keeping their legacy alive by sharing their lives and encouraging other mums who are struggling too. And I love how you are speaking out against abortion too - I am with you on that cause! What a blessing that God is using your own experience and hurt to make a difference.

    I love this necklace you were given by the way :) I have a few necklaces that remind me of my daughter Hannah Grace... one with her footprints on it, and another with a heart locket with her photo inside. They are very special reminders that we can keep close to our hurting hearts.

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