tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post8488567139180588565..comments2023-04-09T02:20:09.140-07:00Comments on Sunshine Promises: A Mother's LoveUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-10742369364866407712011-11-30T07:26:35.418-08:002011-11-30T07:26:35.418-08:00Oh Amanda, you have such a gift for painting a pic...Oh Amanda, you have such a gift for painting a picture with your words, and I thank you for sharing such a sacred beautiful experience. I had to get up half way through reading this until the lump in my throat went away. These feelings of loss and longing are still so fresh to me... and it breaks me to imagine the ache that would come from it being your own child. I have learned so much from you, thank you sweet friend. I love you.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12101466077429611233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-68228152415578317382011-11-23T23:24:48.240-08:002011-11-23T23:24:48.240-08:00This was so beautifully written. You are so talent...This was so beautifully written. You are so talented with words, Amanda. I am grateful for your openness and sharing you so freely give us all.<br /><br />I can't pretend imagine what it must feel like to have your arms ache to hold and love on your child again. Reading your words always reminds me to be more present with my little guy and all those I love. <br /><br />I am impressed your mortician was so willing to let you spend so much time with Bennett. He must of been a tender man to know that your family needed that. Time is a gift, indeed.Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17690176485145114395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-83946596553680172902011-11-23T11:54:32.097-08:002011-11-23T11:54:32.097-08:00I am sitting here at work...half way through this ...I am sitting here at work...half way through this post and I'm fighting back tears so hard that I can't continue reading right now. My heart breaks for you and I think about you every.single.day. I can't imagine the heartache that you did and are experiencing. It hurts me for you.Juliannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03332916517655699999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-74458528119571636332011-11-23T07:56:59.253-08:002011-11-23T07:56:59.253-08:00Thank you for sharing these touching and tender me...Thank you for sharing these touching and tender memories. I pray that Heavenly Father will continue to comfort you and your family in ways that surprise and strengthen you all.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11727899224891034411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-25111409964649272792011-11-22T21:57:05.765-08:002011-11-22T21:57:05.765-08:00My heart was breaking for you and your little fami...My heart was breaking for you and your little family while reading this entire post. You have such a way with words, and I appreciate your willingness to share Bennett and such tender moments with us all. You are constantly in my prayers.Razzle Dazzle Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15342196393000956213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-52357900322005965482011-11-22T08:48:08.814-08:002011-11-22T08:48:08.814-08:00Tears running down my cheeks while reading this. ...Tears running down my cheeks while reading this. Love to you and your sweet family Mandy, you are a blessing to so many!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00761573316551891069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-9416918917398259192011-11-21T22:32:02.185-08:002011-11-21T22:32:02.185-08:00Amanda,
I know as you wrote this your heart probab...Amanda,<br />I know as you wrote this your heart probably broke all over again. I know while reading your precious words mine did. I regret that I didn't get to hold Gabie in my arms after he passed. The last time I held him he was surrounded in cords and wires in the hospital. When they were done with the organ harvest they sent him straight to the coroner and then to the Mortuary. David (my husband is David too) and I did dress him and get him ready for the funeral services but because he was so stiff I didn't feel like I could really cuddle and love on him. I kissed his hands and cheeks and smoothed his hair but I never held him. I wish I had.. I'm so glad you had that wonderful opportunity. Thank you for sharing such sacred moments with us, your readers.<br />Love Amy<br />BTW I LOVED your Christmas card it is so perfect and so cheerful. Thank you for thinking of us.Amishkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07434851872679280419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-54195031474859580172011-11-21T12:43:14.818-08:002011-11-21T12:43:14.818-08:00Wow! What a beautiful post. I sat and cried throu...Wow! What a beautiful post. I sat and cried through the whole thing. I didn't know they would let you take your child home with you like that. What an amazing thing for you and your sweet family to have that extra time. I wanted so badly to pick my sweet Hailey up from her casket. I guess I should have just done it. I hope that your aching arms are filled this week. --Melica (Hailey's mom)Melica and Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173275751741934541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-37071334047158593862011-11-21T11:24:41.878-08:002011-11-21T11:24:41.878-08:00I can not begin to imagine the range and depth of ...I can not begin to imagine the range and depth of emotions associated with this post and more importantly those moments. God bless you and you family. Thank you for sharing.MaggieJohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09922850407030280379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-10791516684332960822011-11-21T09:06:40.626-08:002011-11-21T09:06:40.626-08:00Oh Mandy...you write so beautifully...such tragic ...Oh Mandy...you write so beautifully...such tragic moments those were, and you looked for ways to soak up the few drops of good in the situation and (like Ashlee said in her comment) you & Dave helped your sweet children make it through it, together, as one loving family. I have no doubt that your Bennett boy has been so proud of his Mom through all of this. You're an example of staying strong and faithful during dark times the rest of us can only imagine going through. Love you sis.Haleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05139200520564451218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-87661216341485954372011-11-21T08:56:10.692-08:002011-11-21T08:56:10.692-08:00Thank you for sharing such tender personal memorie...Thank you for sharing such tender personal memories. I can't even begin to imagine what I would do in a situation like that. It is amazing that even under such trauma your mother heart still took over and allowed you to see past your own pain to find ways to help ease the blow to your other children. The thought breaks my heart for you and your family. Hugs and loves to you sweet friend.Ashlee Merbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10829957037675808252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-81324817371674191102011-11-21T08:43:24.818-08:002011-11-21T08:43:24.818-08:00Oh Mandy...thank you for sharing your words. Than...Oh Mandy...thank you for sharing your words. Thank you.Chatty Nattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716471362672107163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-26356582179351490312011-11-20T18:33:50.431-08:002011-11-20T18:33:50.431-08:00mandy these words brought so many tears being ther...mandy these words brought so many tears being there for some of this that you spoke of, its bringing back those ender memories. I still have those photos i have saved of you walking him the car and the driveways good byes... they are your when you are ready. until then i keep them safe....<br />i love you. but even more i love your words. you are amazing.Hailey Smoot Kandellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11859198270878255098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-22406787153140285382011-11-20T17:03:24.593-08:002011-11-20T17:03:24.593-08:00Oh, Mandy. I have no words. Only tears. The ach...Oh, Mandy. I have no words. Only tears. The ache you must feel. I ache for you so often, and it is so very often that I think of you. What an amazing mother you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-77059336844059550932011-11-20T17:01:52.136-08:002011-11-20T17:01:52.136-08:00Such tender and personal memories...thank you for ...Such tender and personal memories...thank you for sharing them.Rachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16606119154674869603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-36862866611342182432011-11-20T16:46:32.937-08:002011-11-20T16:46:32.937-08:00Thank you so much for continuing to share these sp...Thank you so much for continuing to share these special, sacred moments and feelings with us. Reading your blog truly helps me feel closer to our Heavenly Father.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-41125871829067773732011-11-20T16:24:37.499-08:002011-11-20T16:24:37.499-08:00Oh Amanda...my heart is literally aching for you a...Oh Amanda...my heart is literally aching for you and for me too. What an amazing blessing it must have been to have had that "extra" time with him after he returned home. We didn't stay long in the hospital after Jack left because they we agreed to donate his organs. But OH how I wish I had that extra time to love him. It all happens too fast and there is never enough time is there?! Your sweet sunshine boy, I'm sure tenderly watched as you cared for him, but from a much different prospective. <br /><br />Sometimes when I get to "aching" for my little Jack, and I almost feel like a weight is on me...is when I think Jack is closest. I miss him. I know you Miss your sunshine....he's close. I promise he's close and he loves you more than you can know. He misses you too and I bet his arms ache to be inside yours just as much as you long to hold him.<br /><br />Just know that you are in my heart and in my thoughts and prayers. What an amazing mom you are!Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00454947541751468918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-29740509258902966412011-11-20T15:12:49.754-08:002011-11-20T15:12:49.754-08:00Absolutely incredible. My heart is heavy, but fil...Absolutely incredible. My heart is heavy, but filled with hope.Bri!!!https://www.blogger.com/profile/00934051919575864988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-22890453703153187782011-11-20T12:31:01.593-08:002011-11-20T12:31:01.593-08:00Thank you for sharing these sweet, sacred moments!...Thank you for sharing these sweet, sacred moments! How beautiful and yet heart-wrenching your final moments on earth with him were...How we admire your strength and how you have chosen to become because of your trials. Thank you over and over! Hope your heart is filled with His love today!<br />Love Jenny B.doovie79https://www.blogger.com/profile/08432679669008109141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-90965758453850495262011-11-20T11:03:28.831-08:002011-11-20T11:03:28.831-08:00Incredible experiences. Mandy, you are able to wr...Incredible experiences. Mandy, you are able to write through a special spirit. The feelings felt through your words are deep and meaningful. I still have Bennett's picture in my car and I look forward to seeing it daily. He is a special boy that looks over us and comforts us in our time of need. Sure love you.Ben Kjarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09923321779291035294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-36865491292368652532011-11-20T10:58:06.955-08:002011-11-20T10:58:06.955-08:00Amanda, thank you so much for sharing such a perso...Amanda, thank you so much for sharing such a personal experience! With tears flowing my heart aches for you! I can imagine myself standing by your side as you said your “see you later!” Not goodbye, but until we meet again!<br /><br />I hope my own children know of my love for them. The love of a mother who would give anything, change place with, anything for that of a child. I love you Amanda and honor you as a mother! Bennett will be blessed eternally! He too is waiting for the opportunity to be loved and caressed by his loving mother!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08684462611228544473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059616685549520643.post-20509221083142356902011-11-20T10:54:32.582-08:002011-11-20T10:54:32.582-08:00Oh sweet Amanda, this was incredible to read. I h...Oh sweet Amanda, this was incredible to read. I have wondered about the events that transpired right after his death...and your wrote of it so tenderly beautifully.<br /><br />I know that you must ache more than I could ever comprehend. So with that knowledge, just know that I love you and think of you often. You are a tremendous example to me of faith and there is no doubt that you are helping many MANY women heal though this blog. And not only that, but you are giving a great gift to us who have not lost a child--the reminder to be grateful for every moment we have with our children in this life.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13896293949728093187noreply@blogger.com