Monday, January 24, 2011

Tender Mercy

(image via here)


It's no secret that I am an active member of this church.  It is the predominant religion in Utah so someone reading this from my neck of the woods will understand our church's belief in the after life.  For those who are not familiar - you can go to the main website for more specifics, however, let me explain in a nutshell.

One one passes away, their Spirit then goes to the Spirit World to await their resurrection and final judgement.  A lot happens in the Spirit World.  Reunions with loved ones and friends who have passed before, learning and gaining as much knowledge as one can.  Where is the Spirit World?  Right here.  We cannot see the other Spirits because of a veil that hangs between us, but they can be felt.  They can see what is happening in our lives.  I also believe that they can comfort us.  I love this particular doctrine.  As I have grown and hit milestones in my life, it has been nice to know that perhaps my Dad was with me.  Was watching over me. Cheering for me in my successes and crying with my in my heartaches.  To think that someone who has passed away can be so very close to us is a huge comfort indeed.

I've debated blogging this, but after much thought I want it recorded for Sissy.  She might not remember as she gets older and I don't want her to ever forget.  And for anyone else who has lost a loved one, perhaps it can give some peace and comfort to them.

Sissy hasn't asked a whole lot about her Mommy.  Once in a while, she will ask, "Why did Mommy die?" but I can count on one hand the times that she has.  She is busy with school, family and learning all the new things that a 4 year old learns.

About a week after J passed, Sissy was sleeping and all of a sudden sat straight up and called out "Mommy".  I placed my hand on her back, and called her name softly.  She turned and looked at me saying, "Mimi?"  She laid down, and snuggled into my neck and fell right back to sleep.  The next morning, she told me that she had dreamed about her Mommy and that her Mommy told her that she "woved her".  It was a quick conversation and she didn't elaborate more.

The next time was more impressive.

There was a small program that was made for her graveside services and it has J's picture on it.  It has been hanging on my fridge amongst the many other pictures and treasures that you tend to collect on the front of that particular appliance.

Several mornings ago, Sissy was opening the fridge to get milk for her cereal when her attention was drawn to the picture of her Mommy.  Our conversation went like this:

Sissy: "Mimi, I dweamed about Mommy wast night.  She tawked to me."
Me:  '"She did?  How great - what did she say?"
Sissy: " I was asweep and den she was tawking to me.  She said she woved me and in my heart"
Me:  "Sis - that is so nice!  Did you feel happy?  Was Mommy happy?"
Sissy: " Yeah, she's happy and she woves me in my heart."

And then her Lucky Charms were on the forefront of her mind and our talk moved onto pouring the milk and getting a spoon.

I have thought about this for the past several days.  What a tender mercy from a loving God in Heaven.  He knows if one of his children needs a special blessing and He finds a way to provide it.  Maybe Sis needed just a couple of quick "touch bases" with Mom.  I don't know- she isn't particularly verbal about it right now.  But I am thankful for a Heavenly Father that allows a mother from one side to visit her child on the other, Spirit to Spirit, and remind her how much she is loved.  Not once, but twice.  I can't know what it is in Sissy's heart and head right now, but her Father in Heaven does.  And He will make sure she is taken care of.  That her needs are met.

It was also a reminder to me about how important Sissy is to so many people.  Her Mother is trusting that we will do the right things for her.  Her Father is trusting us to take care of her until he finishes his duty to our country.  Her other grandparents are trusting that she will always know of their love for her.  Her Heavenly Father is trusting us with this precious, precious soul who will have many struggles ahead of her.  He trusts that we will look to Him for guidance, and in return, I feel like He will let her Mommy stay close by.

Tender Mercy indeed.

31 comments:

Jess said...

Her momma loves her so much. I know she will stay with Sis her whole life through dreams and other subtle signs.

Yay for believing in the spirit world :o)

suz said...

I'm glad you didn't dismiss her experiences as imagination. In this life we can't know any such things for sure, but we can believe. The most important thing for her is that she be allowed to believe. And I think it's pretty cool that you believe too. The "faithful" often fear such experiences.

Heather said...

BEAUTIFUL. I love your testimony, and I love that our Heavenly Father is so kind.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

M, that was beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it.
I think about Sissy all the time. I wonder how you and Splenda are doing. I pray for you.

I think it is a tender mercy and what a blessing that Sissy is able to verbalize these feelings.

Hug YOU!

" Hit It......." said...

I honestly believe that Cissy's mom will be watching over her always. That little gal deserves to have a "Special Guardian Angel" when she needs her! I think the Lord will allow it.

xoxo.

Pedaling said...

there's so much going on--more than we usually realize. i am grateful for these kinds of tender mercies. thanks for sharing. it touched my heart.

Missy said...

This is beautiful!
I will say it again, Sissy is the luckiest child to have YOU in her life.

I have always been taught that our loved ones (believers) who have passed are in Heaven. They cannot see/hear/know what we are doing on Earth as it could make them sad. There is no sadness in Heaven.

I like the thought they are here with us; guiding, comforting us.

I am still praying for your family!
Hugs!!!

Untypically Jia said...

I know for a fact that this is possible. Because it happened to me when I was younger. All the way through my teen years as well. Whenever I was on a wrong path, needed that extra push in the right direction, or even to answer a certain prayer, I would sleep and in my dreams my mother would come and she would reveal whatever it was that I needed (note: not always what I wanted, she is still my mother after all).

It's good to know that Sissy is still being watched over, from both sides.

Scrappy Girl said...

So very important to record this so Sissy will read it later on.

Mamafamilias said...

This squeezed my heart and it came out through my eyes. Again.

Vanessa said...

Thanks for turning me into a blubbering idiot.

She is so lucky to have you!!

Mrs. O said...

What a wonderfully sweet memory for Sissy.

When my 2nd daughter was barely 5, she came to me and asked if this was a true thing that people who died could come visit you in your sleep(her words). WHen I asked her for more information, she mentioned my grandma coming to her. She was 3 when she'd passed away - I do think you're right, that passing does not diminish the love people share.

Jamie said...

What a comfort to know the veil is so thin. I am so grateful the Lord looks out for his little ones.Brings tears to my eyes, what a sweet miracle for Sissy.

Nancy said...

This is so sweet! As someone who has lost my father and my sister, I know this to be true as well. Thanks for sharing.

Wonder Woman said...

I am so glad you recorded this. It's most definitely something Sissy will need to remember.

Heather said...

What a wonderful Tender Mercie! Sissy needs those moments with her mom. I love how you know that it game from Heavenly Father. Thanks for sharing something so personal. It helps me to be reminded that my Aunt, Ruth is near!

tammy said...

I'm so glad you shared this on your blog. I am thankful for these tender mercies too. After my sister's husband died, her little boy told her that he dreamed about daddy, that he came and gave him a hug and talked to him. Then her other son, who couldn't say a lot of words at the time, said "Daddy!" and we know that he had seen his dad, too. It still makes me cry to think about it.

I've had dreams from my cousin over the years. We had grown up together, got married at the same time, and were really close until she died when we were 25. I know she was visiting my dreams for a reason (which I won't share here), but it really makes thankful for a loving Heavenly Father, who truly knows each of our needs.

And what a huge blessing that Sissy is doing so well.

Suzie said...

this is so sweet & tender I can hardly comment on it.

thing is, I know firsthand that those things happen.
in a very short time I lost a son, my dad & my mom.
I was comforted beyond words in this very way.
thanks for sharing this truth!

TheBabyMammaChronicles said...

What a beautiful story. I truly do believe in a tender loving God above all else.

wendy said...

What a sweet post.
I have been thinking..a lot...lately about the spirit world of course.
I wonder every day what Matt is doing.
I wake up in the morning thinking of him, and go to bed at night thinking of him. whispering out my silent "I love you's"

so hard

I am glas Sissy feels her mommy close to her.
so grateful for the knowledge and my belief in life after death
I couldn't survive otherwise.

Carma Sez said...

that is really something special and I hope her mommy continues to visit with her and tell her how much she is loved...

Natalie said...

So beautiful! Thank you for sharing that. :)

Lara Neves said...

Oh Melissa, I have been ignoring my blog reading for the last month, and I had to go back and read your posts to see what had happened. I am so sorry, what an ordeal to go through.

On the other hand, it makes me happy to see how well everyone has rallied around you and that Sissy seems to be doing so well despite everything. She is so blessed to have you, I have always known this as I have read about her on your blog.

This story made me cry. I am so happy that you wrote it down for her, too.

Plain Jame said...

Oooooh I love this! LOVE IT! Sob sob sob...
I know it's true and events like this happen often. It wont be the last with sissy.

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

That is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

CountessLaurie said...

I believe that kids are generally more open to visits from beyond, because they haven't been "taught" that you can't see them.

I am glad you wrote this down for Sissy. It will be a good memory for her to have. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Loralee and the gang... said...

What a comfort for your sweet granddaughter. And for you and the rest of your family. I'm glad that you shared this here.

CB said...

This is beautiful. I am crying because I know how true it all is.
That other world is sooo close.

alpinekleins said...

Bless that little Sissy's heart, the veil is so thin for those who trust so willingly and are willing to see it.

Kristin

Mae Rae said...

I wanted to comment just a little something but the tears would not stop.
You are an amazing person and just these little acts of love that you share by putting into words for her are an amazing feat.
Love and kisses to you!

Omgirl said...

That is so sweet. I hope somehow her little heart will remember it as she gets older, that somehow she'll be able to cling to that memory. Or that at least the peace from those dreams will stay with her and comfort her even if the actual memory of it is forgotten.