Our first Christmas in Heaven - Villagio Victims

Our first Christmas in Heaven - Villagio Victims

We see the countless Christmas trees
around the world below
with tiny lights, like heaven's stars
reflecting on the snow

The night is so spectacular
please wipe away that tear
for we are spending Christmas
with Jesus this year

We hear so many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
but the sounds of music can't compare
with the Christmas choir way up here

For we have no words to tell you
the joy their voices bring
it is beyond description
to hear as Angels sing

We know how much you miss us
we see the pain inside your hearts
but we are spending Christmas
with Jesus this year

We can't tell you of the splendour
or the peace here in this place
can you just imagine Christmas
with our Saviour, face to face?

We'll ask Him to light your spirit
as we tell Him of your love
so then pray for one another
as you lift your eyes above

Please let your hearts be joyful
and let your spirit sing
for we are spending Christmas in Heaven
Walking with the KING! — with Jane Weekes and 2 others.

• 
  
• 

  Ann Chin http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2012/06/strike-3-gone-like-lightning-bolt.html

Oliver's interpretation of mourning

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200229855173791&set=a.1850581349005.2105262.1374872611&type=1&theater

Christmas and the bereaved

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152356125455541&set=o.290546631053719&type=1&theater&notif_t=wall  

The Pohutukawa tree, crimson at this time is chosen to be our New Zealand Christmas tree. In this festive time, spirits are high, some enjoy and be merry. Be mindful that there is a group of people who are not feeling merry or festive. They are the bereaved. I have been in touch with some, and I did this post for them. Some people think I should move on, and not dwelt in the past. Sorry I tell them, my message and my reason for living is to help others.

Art as an expression of our grief and sadness.

http://climbingthedigitalmountain.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/remembering-children-december-14-2012.html

My blogging friend Geniem  posted art that she drew. Like everyone she is touched by the seneslessness of it all. What is more wonderful is she

 remembers that I as a bereaved mum "can truly comprehend the grief these parents feel."

Remembering the Children ~ December 14, 2012

On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh bombed the Murah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and damaged or destroyed 324 other buildings. Of the 168 people killed, 19 were children. Today we lost 20 children and 6 adults in a senseless killing spree at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. After the Oklahoma City killings I did a series of cards entitled "Remembering the Children." Tonight I went upstairs and searched out that series of little watercolors, and I am posting them for our Skywatch Friday. As you can see, my little drawings depicted the children as angels floating up through the blue sky to Heaven. My artwork is terribly primitive, but it came from the heart in 1995, and it once again comes from the heart on December 14, 2012...a heart that is weeping once again.

http://www.foreverinmyheartexhibition.com/134494015

Bereaved parents are holding an art exhibition at the Peacock Art Gallery, Upton Country Park, Poole from the 31 January to 4 February 2013 in memory of our babies that we have lost.

Artwork created in memory of our babies we have lost and to express our grief and sadness. Wish you were here, my baby.

The first two pieces where done by my older daughter aged 4 + plus, she understood that her baby brother was dying.  In the first picture, she drew him floating as an angel with wings. The yellow is the cover of my book.

You are invited to send in your artwork so that it can be part of our online gallery in memory of your baby.  Please e-mail artwork to foreverinmyheartexhibition@yahoo.co.uk.

For whom the bells toll? The rampage in the northeastern state of Connecticut

For whom does the bell toll? I hear the bell tolling in this little cemetery. For a little baby who was born on Valentine's Day. For his mother who had him snatched away from her arms. For his aunties who shared this sad news. The bell is tolling for a little boy who had been afflicted. From a fatal disease from the day he was born. For his mum and dad, For his grandma and granddad, For the five years they stood by his side. The bell continues to toll, It is not right, When it is for little children. I wrote this poem many years ago on a Valentine’s Day, the anniversary of my friend’s five year old grandson, David. This January, I went to meet his mum and talked. The rampage in the northeastern state of Connecticut makes me think of the many mums who are grieving.

In South East Asia, this is known as the grave yard flower, and plants are seen in Muslim cemetaries. When I was living in Singapore, in Nanyang University, at the entrance to some apartment blocks, the authorities had planted two Frangipanis on either side of the entrance. There was some talk about this. Why of all flowers did they grow the Frangipani.
r.


Today, my cousin told me this,"Sad day indeed when I received news that my childhood Malay friend and neighbour lost her only son in an accident last night ( he's only @20) and tomorrow is her daughter's wedding day. The tents for the wedding are all up and my parents' car porch is to be used as well. My parents, siblings and I are devastated. I'm so sorry, my friend, that I was not around for your son's funeral this evening, to share your sorrow n give you a hug. Our prayers are with you and your family." I understand the heartache Catherine's friend is undergoing through. Some 20 years ago, another 20 year old son of my friend died. She hugged me and said," You alone understand how painful it it. I hugged her tightly, there was no need for words. I had moved on with my grief, I was able to help her deal with hers. http://wildflowers.colormagicphotography.com/
Macro Flower Saturday
Macro Flower Saturday Macro Flower Saturday ">
http://blueberrycraftandhobbytime.blogspot.com/p/join-my-photo-challenge-flowers-on.html

http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/

message to a mum on her baby's anniversary

Celia , O Celia, How shall I put it? We met under the most unusual circumstance. We met via the internet. You found out Your poor baby was like my Andrew. You joined the tragic bereaved parents club. We met again when another mum looked for you. How poignant it is. It's your baby's anniversary. I wish I can be in with you. To wipe away your tears. Here it is, cyber ones. To let you know, I love you.

Hello Ann,

Thank you so much for Deborah's picture and for the heart rendering description  which I will place next to her pictures.

Thank you so much for offering to send me your book for the exhibition.  I am sure that your words will bring solace and connection with so many.  I look forward to reading your poems.
Excerpt from my book:
Deborah was doing well in the crèche with Andrea. One day she came up to the ward to give Andrew a picture she had made. She had drawn her family photo. When I saw it, I cried. She drew Andrew as a baby floating above us. She had glued onto him a blue Chinese conical hat. The rest of us were standing firmly on the ground. She told me that she stuck the hat on because Andrew was a Chinese boy and he was up in the skies because he was an angel. To her, it was a good picture. She had in her own way accepted that Andrew was going to die and he was going to be an angel. We pinned the picture above Andrew’s cot, and she proudly told everyone that her baby brother was going to be an angel.

Judy

http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/forever-in-my-heart-art-exhibition.html

https://www.facebook.com/DiaryOfABereavedMotherGoodbyeMyBaby. Am really excited, an exhibition in UK will be reading poems from my book.

Diary of a bereaved mother, goodbye my baby

Cindy Farquhar, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Auckland, says the number of babies who are stillborn or die within four weeks of birth is higher than New Zealand's road toll, Funding for prenatal death 

support and research, to help reduce these deaths, is minimal in com...

Deborah's andrew angel

Hi Judy, I give you my permission to use Deborah's photos for your gallery. I also found the other picture which I described in this excerpt in my book. Good luck, Ann what is your postal address, I will send you a copy of my book. I feel privileged that you will read my poems. Deborah was doing well in the crèche with Andrea. One day she came up to the ward to give Andrew a picture she had made. She had drawn her family photo. When I saw it, I cried. She drew Andrew as a baby floating above us. She had glued onto him a blue Chinese conical hat. The rest of us were standing firmly on the ground. She told me that she stuck the hat on because Andrew was a Chinese boy and he was up in the skies because he was an angel. To her, it was a good picture. She had in her own way accepted that Andrew was going to die and he was going to be an angel. We pinned the picture above Andrew’s cot, and she proudly told everyone that her baby brother was going to be an angel. --- On Fri, 30/11/12, Judy Lancaster-Bowen wrote: From: Judy Lancaster-Bowen Subject: Re: art To: "ann chin" Received: Friday, 30 November, 2012, 4:42 AM Hello Ann, May I please ask your permission to put Deborah's picture in the gallery online on the Foreverinmyheart website. Thank you Judy From: ann chin To: foreverinmyheartexhibition@yahoo.co.uk Sent: Wednesday, 28 November 2012, 10:47 Subject: art http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/forever-in-my-heart-art-exhibition.html Dear Judy, I submit my daughter Deborah then aged 4 's art for your exbition. My angel Andrew: 29-9-to Nov 22 1989. I have mentioned you in my blog http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/forever-in-my-heart-art-exhibition.html and facebook. https://www.facebook.com/DiaryOfABereavedMotherGoodbyeMyBaby Thanks, Ann

Luck

Words of healing
I never used to believe in luck. But now, when I analysed it. This red top is my lucky top. It is quite plain so I shall not be over the top. Out of the blue, reporter Rebecca approached me. She heard about my book. She explained she wanted to do a feature. About me and my book. I asked if she could come at lunch time. My principal offered her office. Mates at work cheered, Ann, you are now a VIP. The featured was published. People stopped me on the road. A Chinese grandma says, I don't know English, You have done us proud, By featuring in an English newspaper. Translate it into Chinese, A billion Chinese will have a chance to read it. Who would have thought, That red top,attracted a TV producer. Before I knew it, I was interviewed on national TV. I was invited to public speaking. Yes, I wore that red top. It gave me confident. Ultimately, I am a Chinese, Red is luck. I had a mini reunion, of a friend I had not seen, for forty years. I wore that red top and had great time. The local newspaper magazine did a feature article
Words of healing
on me. http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/living/news/words-of-healing/3954293/ This magazine comes free when you buy the New Zealand Herald, one of the biggest mainstream newspaper in the country. http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/living/news/words-of-healing/3954293/ Sunday Stills, the next challenge: Luck Posted on November 25, 2012 by Ed So, what brings you luck? A coin, a pen, a bridle perhaps? This is a poem, but blogger has gone funny. http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/