Joshua's tedddy bear collection from yesterday. The brown one was my idea, the light blue was a gift from Rae and Madge. and the four little ones were Matt's idea. He said a few teddy bears. Next thing I know we had 4. But it looked great to have them all lined up. :)
A gift from Margo (Eli's Mum). She took some family photos for us. The one at the top will probably become THE family photo. Jen from Darwin - that's the one we like best, but I'll email you about that later. There are other photos in this collection, which shall be posted at a later date.
The program. The bottom is Joshua 1:9 which reads "Have I not commanded you - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Little white caskets are beautiful. But they suck.
Back track story from December. **Edited to say: Hydrangeas (not delphiniums like I said before... DUH I KNEW THAT!)(above) were in bloom before Joshua was born and I remembered thinking, those are gorgeous and besides that - they're blue. If we have to have a service I'd like some there. So the other day we were driving back from ordering flowers for Joshua when I saw a bush in bloom! Of course it was in someone's yard, and I thought, is it too wierd to ask for some? So the morning of his service I went with Matt to pick up flowers from the flower shop and stopped at this house. It was a beautiful yard, full of flowers - obviously well-maintained. I came up to the door and was greated by a delightful woman. I said, "I have a strange request for you. My name is Susie. My son's funeral is this morning and I was hoping to have some blue delphiniums for the service. Would you mind if I cut some of yours?" She was more than happy to let me take some. We picked them apart and set them in a basket. After we (Matt and I) carried his casket out to the car people were encouraged to set a flower onto and say their last goodbyes. It was perfect to have a HUGE pile of BLUE flowers on top of it. Flowers are girly - but blue flowers are about as manly as flowers get. So it was good. I thought it was beautiful. I hope it's not too disturbing to see pictures of his casket. I'm over it - it's one of my final links to Joshua.
Thank you for sharing for those of us who are grieving the loss from afar. I was so touched watching the montage and seeing the video clips. I'm even more amazed at all that Joshua was able to do in his time here.
ReplyDeletePerfection.
ReplyDeletePraying for your heart as you grieve the loss of you baby boy and all the dreams you had for him. Smiling because he's free in Heaven... hopefully somewhere near my sweet girl. You love him well. :)
Susie, thank you for sharing these pictures of Joshua's service with those of us who couldn't be there. It looks like you honored his life in a beautiful way.
ReplyDeleteAnd I must say, referring to the pictures above this post, what a beautiful park! And what wonderful parents you both are.
Sending you love from Massachusetts.
Susie- I am so encouraged as I read your posts. His service sounds wonderful. And the Lord's hand and provision, perfect, as always.
ReplyDeleteThe blue flowers were amazing and the casket, though I agree beautiful... I also agree that they suck- the very premise of them that is.
Praying for the Lord to comfort you in these times and always.
Chelle'
I love the blue flowers on the tiny white casket, I think they are very appropriate. The picture of the 4 of you is really good. It looks like his service was perfect, as unfortunate as it is. You are amazing, Suzie, so strong. I admire you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Joshua's memorial service with us. This is exactly what I have been missing. I needed to see all of this...yes, even the casket...even though it sucks! Love you
ReplyDeleteLittle white caskets are beautiful. But they REALLY suck!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you took pictures at the service I wish I would have taken some at Gideons but I wasn't blogging back then and I wasn't thinking straight at all.
It looks and sounds like it was a beautiful service (they suck too) but they are a nice way to honor the ones we love so much, espcially when we had them for such a short period of time.
All our love,
The Goodson's
Thank you for sharing the pictures. I think the flowers are just beautiful..
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all this with us.
ReplyDeleteAll beautiful... I'm glad you have these photos.
Much love...
Thank you for sharing these images. The one of the casket is very powerful and the story of the flowers touched me deeply. I was reading it this morning before work, got tears in my eyes for your loss and how no one should have to order a small casket like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for continuing to share with us in blogland even during this very difficult time for you and your family.
You all are still in my prayers.
The flowers are beautiful, they are actually called hydrangeas. I thought the teddy bear guard was very appropriate.
ReplyDeleteHis service looked lovely. The blue delphiniums were gorgeous atop his beautiful white casket. Thank you for sharing your beautiful child, his beginning in this world and his end, with all of us. God's plan for Joshua continues to be revealed, even in his absence. Continued prayers for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing all of the photos and comments from the funeral. The blue flowers are fabulous and I bet that lady will remember forever your asking for them. In fact, she might love to see the picture with the flowers on the casket and talk about it more with you. You could share a picture of Joshua too. You have such a wonderful family and I am so impressed by the maturity of two such young parents. Isn't it true that we do not grieve without hope? So glad it isn't a forever good bye with Joshua. May God continue to keep you strong and courageous at home and in your work. I hope you keep this blog up too. I would love to hear more about your work and I love the New Zealand photos!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandy M.
Plano, TX
The flowers manly and blue are BEAUTIFUL :)
ReplyDeletePauline
Thank you for sharing your heart and those wonderful pictures of Joshua's service with us. The casket looks beautiful with all of those blue flowers on it. Good for you for asking the lady for them. Looking forward to when you are able to post some video of the service.
ReplyDeletePraying that things go well with the packing and moving and that you and Matt are still able to take some time to grieve the loss of your precious miracle boy. May your hearts continue to heal through your faith in the great physician that has blessed your Joshua with a new body and eternal life
Rachel in PA
How brave you are to stop by and ask a stranger for something so beautiful. And how very nice of her to give them to you. They are very beautiful. I have tears in my eyes. Bless your family.
ReplyDeleteJennifer from NC
The blue flowers were the perfect touch! Sending you lots of prayers from Rhode Island. May God's loving hands provide you comfort and peace.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like such a beautiful funeral...the casket looks as beautiful as a baby casket can look with those flowers, which seem just perfect for Joshua. I admit I cried when I saw how very tiny it was. What a great idea to have his hand and foot prints on the table!
ReplyDeleteLike many pp have said...thank you for sharing for those of us that couldn't be there. I truly appreciate it. Also, I think Hydrangea's are absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMatt & Susie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I am not sure if I even knew you were pregnant again, much less of all the complications.
He was a beautiful boy! I pray that you continue to sense God's arms holding you up.
Love,
Ruth Craine