My Final "Good Bye"
67
A Final Note
My Dearest Sweet One,
Even though you were not born to me, I fell in love with you the second I looked into your sky blue eyes. Your face was framed by blonde curly locks of hair, framing your joyful grin. Your tiny fingers gripped around my thumb in a tight embrace. Your skin was that of an angel’s – soft, delicate, pink and glowing. I will never forget how you gazed into my eyes, trusting, believing, and already loving me unconditionally. We fell in love with each other.
When you came home, you were bundled up in a soft, blue sateen blanket. Your eyes were closed as you slept soundly. Your brothers and sister were ecstatic when we opened the door and brought you home. I was sure all the noise and excitement would wake you. I asked them all to be quiet, to slow down, and to be careful but they were children too, and how could they? They were beyond excited when their baby brother came home. It was a joyous occasion and we all celebrated.
Finally, you woke, not because of the noise, but because you were hungry. Everyone was mesmerized by your beautiful eyes, your curls swaying this way and that as were you held by each of them. You were surrounded by love.
Time passes so quickly. You learned to recognize each of your loved ones faces, answer to each of their voices and laugh when they played and tickled you. You reached milestone after milestone. The first time you giggled. The first time you tasted pureed peaches. The first time you uttered da-da. The first time you sat up on your own. So many firsts and all accomplished with unfettered confidence.
You loved to play. Music was your favourite. You would dance as you jumped in the Jolly Jumper. You would clap your hands to the rhythm. When you were upset, all I had to do was sing a song and you would calm down immediately.
Before long, you were crawling, walking and then running. It was always a game of catch up with you as you were always running. Your feet barely touched the ground. I never understood why you were in such a hurry. But you were. You were excited to experience everything that you could. I understand now.
With the blink of an eye, your first birthday turned to second, third, fourth and, not too long ago, seventh. Throughout the years, you have had many more firsts. And I am unable how to express how it feels to have been part of them. My heart soared when I coached your first year in soccer. You were a strong player and always persistent. You weren’t afraid, as you are now. You loved school, your teachers, your friends. Every day you came home excited with another story to share.
I wish I listened more. I wish I listened carefully. I wish I recorded everything you did. I wish, I wish. That is how I feel. I can’t help wonder if I did a good job raising you and being there for you. Sometimes I wonder if I had been careful enough about cleaning your scraped knee or holding you long enough during your fever, been more compassionate when you had a nightmare for another 100th night in a row. I hope I have done a good job of being your mother. I hope you forgive me for the times I have been too tired, too stretched to give you more attention, too rushed to slow down, too busy with your siblings to stop and give you more time.
I know that the answer lies in my own heart. I believe I have done the best job of being your mother that I possibly could. I cannot have regrets for what I have not done, for I am only human with limited capacities. I have always done what, I believe, was in your best interest. I still feel that way.
Even so, saying good bye is no easy task. I pray to God that you carry a piece of my heart with you on your next journey. I pray that what I have given you will be enough to carry you through. I carry a piece of you in my heart. I pray that it will be enough to carry me through the dark times ahead. I pray that we have more than a few hours together. I have so much to say and to show you. We haven’t even finished decorating our home for Halloween. We need more time, please. I have so much love for you that I can’t give it all to you in such a short period of time. Please, a few more weeks, that’s all I ask. Please.
Tears roll down my cheeks as I write this as I know that our time left together is very short. My heart is breaking and a hole is beginning to form. I know that the time is nearing, the bigger the hole, the closer it comes. I have no idea how I will fill it when you are gone. The pain is already too great and my mind can’t accept the final outcome. I pray that you will be safe, as I know you will be as God will care for you.
Every second is a sacred second. I don’t want to waste one of them, but night has fallen and you must rest. I will sit by your side, hold your hand and wipe your tears. Angels will carry you to sweeter dreams.
I love you, my Sweet One.
Good bye.
Mommy
Beth100
October 28, 2009
Copyright 2009
Beth, all my love and support are here for you. My prayers for you to cope in the lord. You are loved and do know that you are being watched over. Love knows no bounds. Please remember this. Love is eternal. Your poem has me breathless. What A TRIBUTE FOR THE LOVE YOU HAVE FOR YOUR CHILD. HUGS,PRAYS AND MORE.
Hi. Okay. This left me speechless last night. It was so moving, and written with such love that it made me feel as though your loss was my loss. As though the breath had been knocked out of me and left me unsure if I would ever draw in another. I spoke of your bravery before, somewhere else, but what a thing this is to overcome. It must have required so much more than bravery, but perseverance, toughness, resiliency, and so many other things that I can only imagine. Just know that my thoughts were with you last night. I know now, from having read part two, that you have come through this, but for me it was new. My, my.
My heart is breaking. I cannot think of anything to say.
finally read yours...knew it would be difficult and am glad I did...it's not supposed to happen is it? your words are beautiful...
This is one of the most touching things I have ever read. These are just words and the love comes through loud, clear and strong. I am sure you son knows he has been loved completely. Thank you so much for reminding me to hold my son the next time his ear hurts until he doesn't want me to. Thank you for this hub, it is a true blessing for me to read. I am going to give all of my kids kisses now and big hugs in the morning. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been too busy. I am forwarding this on....
I am very sad for you. My heart reaches out to you and your family.
Beth,
It is this I share as a kindred spirit, for all of which you have written has wounded my soul, thank you for your honesty and courage. I too understand the loss you feel, and by understand I mean, I lived each second and breathed each word you wrote about your child. My brittany was 4 years old and died of a brain tumor in 2001, as mothers who have had the gift of a child as this we will never feel whole again, our smiles are never as sincere and our happy moments are tolerable at best. The tears will forever fall until we hold our children again, and only then will we be whole. A precious gift of goodbye was given to us by our children, thankfully, we were with them as they ascended to heaven, my brittany could't speak but somehow I knew her needs and she felt loved. I pray I did right by her, I could doubt myself a thousand times a day, but in the end, all I have to do is remember the last time I looked into her eyes, she was looking at me as if she were looking through a mirror from another realm, it was in her eyes I recieved that goodbye I was wondering would come. It was then I knew she had completed her journey and I merely began mine. It was then I became.
God bless you
if you need to talk with someone, yell at someone, hit someone, email me. brittanywashere at att dot net
Fantastic! Moving! A good example of how strong love can be in adoptive cases. You may be interested in my hub about how angels protect children, and a poem I have at the end of it.
my pleasure, i read how difficult this week for you, i understand as best i can........
i am thinking of you, and remembering you in my prayers, god bless
Beth, we in the HP community are here for you and I will be praying as his birthday comes that the God of love will fill you up with the glorious gifts that come from having given to and received love from a child. When we "cast our cares on Him," the Psalms say that He writes our words in His book and keeps our tears in a bottle. May He release you to celebrate the joys of your son's life that you shared together. Blessings to you and your family.
Sweet Beth100, I had no idea when I found you here on Hub yesterday that you had been through so much, so recently. Your adorable picture drew me in and from there I've been reading your hubs. When I read this one I cried. Nothing I can say will ever take away the pain you're feeling right now. Your words moved me to tears and my own losses (pets) pale in comparison to the loss of a child. Ralwus was right about them being on loan from our Creator who has called them back home. I hope you'll find comfort in the outpouring of love that's been expressed by your friends and I hope you'll include me among them. peg
Oh my God. I really didnt know what to expect when I read this Hub.
I am 6ft1, 245 pounds. I am an oilfield worker and supposed to be one of those guys that are as hard as a rock.
Well I am telling you the rock softened after reading this hub.
My heart does go out to you and I hope you remember the good times and wash away any bad memories.
I am so proud to include this hub on my blog.
I hope I can get lots of traffic reading your story as I believe it is a story very worth reading.
Dale
So beautiful and sad. My heart feels swollen.
I will pray for you and yours
Beth, It is sometimes a healing process to express our feelings in writing. And very well done, too. I'm sorry for your loss and wish you strength to move on.
Unbelievably heart breaking, very sad, as time passes it does become a little easier to bear. My sympathies are with you.
OMG. I'm crying to hard to speak. God bless you and yours to help you get through.
Oh im sorry to hear that then. I just thought he moved out, I didn't realize he passed away. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I know he's in a better place now, and he's probably watching over you. are you going to be okay?
powerful story. i first hoped he was just leaving home for adulthood. your words show a love that lasts forever. the pain never ends but the memories become sweeter.
wow, that was very beautiful. im sorry to hear to about you losing your son. im sure he'll always keep in touch though. he's very lucky to have a mother like you that cares about him a lot.
This story break heart! Very sad but great hub...
Heartbreaking! I pray that God may ease your pain. I know it may not help, but remember that she is in better place right now- she's happy- and I'm sure she wishes she could ease your grief. Try to take comfort in the fact that our time here is short and you will be reunited soon. God Bless
My heart is breaking along with yours. I have felt all those things that you described with my own 3 small children excepy the last. I pray to god that I will never go through what you are. I am praying for you and your child and will look at my children through a different scope after reading you heart wrenching account. I am so sorry- but have faith that god will carry you through this painful time.
I know this is small comfort, but you will see your little one soon, time passes quickly, but sometimes not a quickly as we'd like, I miss my own child who died 5 years ago but I know I'll see him soon.
My deepest sympathy on your loss. My sister lost her daughter 25 years ago and there is never a day that goes by that she doesn't miss and grieve for her. because I love my sister and my niece I grieve too but not in the same way. My you always be surrounded by love so that you can grieve.
Oh Beth you tugged at my wee heart strings...I am going to reach inside the PC and give you a hugeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee hug...love ya chickadee. xox
Beth, you accepted the pain and the love and received the comfort from God, from people! And acceptance and love brings peace to the soul even amidst the grief. I know you understand what I mean. I am teary eyed again as I visit here and feel you...thank you for sharing your heart. I learn much from you.
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you this day.
My Dear Beth,
My heart aches knowing there is much pain and grief...and yet knowing there is so much love too. The mixed emotions is making everything full and yet empty. Aaah the paradox and mystery of life and love. And as I sit here quietly, teary eyed, grateful and sad, I send you loving hugs all across the miles. No words will capture what is inside but I pray you will feel the comfort and love sent your way. I am deeply grateful that you have felt so much support from your friends here on Hubpages, in knowing that God is holding you close through them and your family and friends.
Much love and light Beth, much love and light.
Michelle
Beth, My heart heart and prayers are with you. I am so sorry to hear of your losing your child. Your expressions are deeply moving and yet beautiful in the light of a mothers unconditional love and endearing of the sentimental momories of your lovely child. I feel you will always be close in spirit and wach others hearts. It is so painful to hear of this loss. My prayers are with you and your family. {{Big Hugs}}
It's almost impossible to think time can heal, but strangely it does, thinking of you, you are in my thoughts and prayers
Sending you love
Beth,
I still have small, deep holes from the losses in my life that won't ever go away. To me, they aren't painful voids anymore; they're happy memories of what I was blessed with. I will pray for you in hopes that you find solace and a purpose to guide you, without losing hope or faith.
Thank you, Beth, for sharing this emotive chapter in your life.
Oh Beth I'm so so sorry. All the strength in the world to you and your family.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
It has been said that losing a child is the hardest loss of all - Blessings to both you and your family as you travel this journey. I am so terribly, terribly sorry. You are an amazing woman to have been able to pour out so much in this hub. Strength may seem far away but you will prevail, there is so much love surrounding you.
I won't say a word. Silence is my gift.
Beth, O know this hole all too well, and while you wrote a beautiful piece, I know the pain it took to write it. You are not alone,far from it, hold onto these comments and hold onto your strength, you are loved by many, and by me, god bless, Kimberly
Ow...I hurt from reading this pain your enduring. It is hard for folks to say the right thing when confronted against the knowledge of such a loss...but these great comments by your friends and readers here sure have been comforting to you...I know. I can't imagine what you are going through...but as friends do...just know we are all here for you in support.... and that your lil' angel has a great Mom in you! I'll pray that you can have help bearing the grief through the weeks to come...and that you will only know joy for the time being...and then ultimately a reunion on a future day! (Until you can see her once more in a better place.) Your friend, MPM
Dear Beth, I'm so very sorry for you loss. But I'm so glad for the grace and beauty that you have in writing about it. Sending kindest thoughts to you and your family.
My heart and prayers go out to you. I miscarried twice and that was very difficult. I hardly begin to compare. I do want you to know that by reading your hub, you have inspired me to slow down, take lots more pictures and videos of my two kids (1&3) and cherish each moment I spend with them. Your son was blessed to have you for a Mom :)Praying for strength for you and your family during this time.
Beth, your love is so powerful it is felt in every word of this outpouring for your son. our hearts are yours. bless you for sharing such an intimate place with your readers. :)
(((hugs))) This is a beautiful tribute. I pray for peace for you dear Beth and for your family.
The happy memories of your son is an everlasting gift, I'm glad there are many to help you through this painful time.
Hi Beth, I know you've heard this alot already but maybe knowing one more person cares can give even the slightest bit of comfort. I am glad you know in your heart your human, and have done the very best you can. I truly hope you do not waste another second doubting the fact that your a good mother. Allow yourelf to grieve without guilt, and the tears will eventually stop. Thank you for sharing this, I hope it helps you some to get it out? I wish you peace and comfort, Beth.
hi, I read this hub and I cried, am a mother myself and I feel for you,I am pretty sure, your child is proud of you and he was blessed, for a time he was taken care of by a mother like you.
Hi Beth. What can I say? Thank you for sharing this with us. I do hope that you will find solace in the words and the compassion shown by your fellow hubbers. Stay strong and wherever your dearest one goes, I'm sure your child knows how much you love him or her.
No words are ever enough - I do hope you are blessed with strength as you go through this. Any mother who can write this is a wonderful mother!
Beautifully moving. To any mother and father who are blessed to be guardians of children, your words can encompass death or the child moving into their own. Children are never owned and hearts break when the cord is stretched to breaking point.
I'm crying with you.
Oh my Beth...this is so sad...I am so sorry that you are going through such rough times right now. I am here for you sweety no matter what!
Oh Beth, my heart is bleeding for you...
Oh my God..Such an amazing hub..it touched my heart..Thank you so so much for sharing :)
So very sad and yet...the two of you are bound together for all eternity. When time passes, you will remember more of the happy times than the sad. Losing a child no matter what the age is difficult for parents. Not the natural order of things. My mother once told me that losing her son was more difficult than losing the love of her life...her husband. Now she has lost both sons and I am her only child left. Your hub has touched me deeply. Hope that you are surrounded by caring people who understand. May God bless you and help get you through this trial.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful, sad, and deeply moving part of your life with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
You did a wonderful job sharing this with all of us. Although it pains me to learn that you are losing him, I have no doubts about your love for him and the effort you put forth in raising him. He loves you and you love him always. That's really all that matters, Beth. You are both in my prayers. Thank you, Beth.
Such tender mama-words-thank you for sharing such a difficult time. Beautiful.
Beth this was an incredibly moving piece. Such a touching tribute to "gifts we cannot keep".
This is so touching.
This is a powerful article. Thank you for baring your soul. My prayer is for you is to be comforted by the One who loves you with an everlasting love.
sorry is he dying or just moving on....... enjoyed every minute of this, maybe it is just too early in the morning for me
This is so sad, I do feel for you and please know you are now in my prayers. All I can say is, sometimes god just loans these angels to us for a while, then with no apparent reason or logic reclaims them as he did his own son. Peace and love. CC
I lost my son at the age of three, I sat by his side, I held his hand and said my final goodbyes, that was twelve years ago. Be strong.
I am forwarding this to my family and I hope they get as much from it as i did!
You are surely a great mother.
This is such a moving hub, I am deeply touched and I just can't find any words God bless you and your family as you go through this difficult time.
OMG..((((Hugs)))) I sit here bawling, reading such a beautiful hub about such a terribly difficult subject. I wish you all the best.
Tonight marks the 6th anniversary of me losing my son. One of the most memorable things someone said to me at my son's funeral was that I was a good mother.
I want you to know that you're a good mother. Cherish every last second. Take care of yourself. My thoughts are with you as you make it through this struggle.


































































Beth100 Hub Author 17 months ago
Healing Touch -- It has been a year and the wound still feels so fresh. The past two months have been difficult as memories come flooding back of the moments that I shared with him before he left. I thought I was doing well until the one year marker approached. I fell apart. I was afraid to come back and reread this - though, this has always given me strength. I was once told that when I would need something to help me along, all I had to do was open my eyes and my heart and accept what is given to me. I felt lost again but when I saw your post, I remembered that what I wrote gave me strength and all my friends lent me theirs. You have brought me back when I needed to some back here. I thank you, Healing Touch, for touching me when I needed a reminder of where I have been. I love him dearly and miss him terribly, but with the love, encouragement and strength from all my friends who surround me, I deep breath and realize I have made it past the one year marker. I am still here. I am alive. I am breathing. I am grateful. Thank you, my friend.