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Stories
"Our story begin began on June 20, 1984 with the birth of our first child, Michelle
Jacquelynn Richards. Within her first couple of weeks of life she was diagnosed with
nesidioblastosis – a devastating disease if left untreated. I will never forget the
day the doctors told us she was severely brain damaged and we should just put her in an
institution. We immediately responded No Way – our little angel was going to be coming
home to live with us.What’s amazing is that what the world views as worthless God used in miraculous ways. In her short 10 ½ years of life, she touched many, many people teaching us all about unconditional love. She went to heaven to be with Jesus on December 17, 1994. There were hundreds of people who attended her funeral, many who stood and spoke of the profound impact she had on their lives. One of the people she affected that stands out to me the most is one of her main caretakers, Ramsey, who when she began taking care of Michelle was an Atheist. She cared for Michelle throughout most of her life and through this little angel Ramsey became a born again believer. Also, my 15 year old daughter Alaria came to know Jesus on Michelle’s birthday when she was just 5 years old because she wanted to see Michelle in heaven someday. I still grieve for the loss of our precious daughter – birthdays and holidays are the toughest. I grieve that my dreams of her going to college, getting married, having children of her own never happened. That will never go away. But what I do have is not just a hope, but an assurance that I will see her again in heaven one day . . . and when I do, she will be completely whole, dancing and singing and laughing in the arms of Jesus." - Linda Richards 
"My daugher Jaclyn died tragically while at day care. I was not there
to say my last goodbye's. I have found that what helps me on my up and down
journey of grief is being transparent with the people around me. I know that
the Lord's plan in my life is to use my tragedy as a way to reach and help
people who have lost children. I know my daughter is in a better place with
our heavenly Father and one day I will see her again." - Michele Frank
"We were told at our 20 week ultrasound that our developing baby boy
would not survive outside the womb. As devastation set in and the tears began,
our 2 year old son asked, 'Mom, why are you crying? Jesus is right next to
you...He's holding your hand.' Our son Isaac was right, Jesus was holding
our hand, and would see us through. God continues to give us hope and
encouragement through the lives of others." - Kirsten Mullins
"Hayden was born February 7, 1992 healthy and happy. He was a welcomed
addition to my family. My life clicked along at an uneventful normal pace until
Hayden was two and half years of age. Within a week of complaining of a headache,
I was ushered into the cancer world with the flick of a switch. As the neurological
surgeon explained the MRI results to me and my husband, our life as we knew it was over.
For the next four and half years, Hayden had multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation
and various other medical issues as a result of all the cancer treatment. In June of 1998,
Hayden had his last surgery. His surgeon sat us down with tears in his eyes; he said the
words no parent wants to hear. 'I’m sorry the tumor cannot be contained or cured, we have
done all we can.' Crushing words for any parent. For the next six months, we loved him, Drank
in every minute; it is a gift to be so acutely aware of minutes. I kissed my son knowing, I
was one kiss closer to the last earthly kiss. That last kiss came on January 10, 1999. Hayden
went from my arms to Jesus’ arms.Just as Hayden’s cancer altered and broadened my view of life and God, so has grief. I am eternally grateful for the scripture in the Bible that states, “ We do not grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.” (I Thel 4:13) Over the last eight years, I have had dark days but not without hope. I have not been spared any part of the grief process, which is a daily challenge, again not without hope. The hope that God gives is everlasting and all sustaining. Even in times of deep fear, anger, sadness or overwhelming confusion. Hope holds. Cancer and grief have left me with 'different eyes, seeing eyes' for which I am thankful even at the high price. It has been a privilege seeing God’s hand in Hayden’s life. My son affected many people’s lives in his six and half years on earth. Hope does not disappoint." - Kathleen Strum |