Flags of the different states that form Malaysia.
Below: I went to a celebration last year, and saw this giant flag.
http://carlymarieprojectheal.com/2014/06/august-19th-day-of-hope-the-prayer-flag-project.html
The August 19th – Day of Hope Prayer Flag Project is a profoundly moving, poignant and healing event to break the silence surrounding the death of babies and children. It is also an incredibly touching way to honour their lives. Each year we have thousands of people taking part across the globe, making this a truly inspiring event.
The Project itself begins on July 1st and will end on August 19th 2014. You can join the Project at any point between these two dates. We invite you all to make a Prayer Flag in memory of your children that have died. In the process of making your Prayer Flag you are able to give yourself some time to honour your own personal journey and reflect on your grief and healing as well. On August 19th we will be stringing our Prayer Flags up in our homes, gardens or places that are significant to us, all over the world. We will then be sharing them in photographs and video clips with the rest of the world through social media.
http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.co.nz/
love the variety of flags
ReplyDeleteROG, ABCW
What a beautiful idea. I've not had any children, but my sister was a child when she passed away, and I'm struck by this idea of honoring the deceased with prayer flags.
ReplyDeleteSamuraiFrog, ABCW
Here is a sad but enlightening coincidence. This weekend, I played for the LGBT PRIDE worship at our church, celebrating the lives of lesbians, gay men, transgender, intergender... all gender orientations. My husband is pastor, and it was pure joy. THEN...
ReplyDeleteFour hours later, I played "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton, a very subdued song, for the memorial service of a family in our church. Michelle's baby had died in the womb a week before delivery, one day after receiving a clean bill of health. Hole in the placenta.
Michelle went through the motions and incredible pain of giving birth without hearing the sounds of a healthy baby at the end. Our service was filled with tears, with none of the "celebration of a life" that often comes with the death of a person in their 90s. Just tears and more tears. I finally played my song... it was only after finishing that I realized there was a small brass urn on the altar. A palm-sized urn filled with the ashes of little Mia.
They did take pictures with Mia, who came out of the womb looking perfect. Michelle and husband Jamie got to hold her, talk to her spirit. I plan (in a few weeks) to let her know about your book. Your loving, compassionate view on this issue, whether the baby died in a war-torn province, was stillborn, or lived only briefly on this earth, sounds like something that would help Michelle heal. I will post my poem about taht service soon, as well.
Thanks for a poem whose title probably scared off some readers. It's the kind of title I MUST visit, because I believe shared experiences of healing will help transform our world. Bless you. Amy Barlow Liberatore, Madison, WI, USA