Life as we know it...

In the last few weeks life as we know it has changed.  Fears we've had have come true and we're working through our grief one day at a time. 

A week ago Monday, we learned Yaya's birthmother passed away.  Bird and I were beside ourselves with questions as of how to tell her this news.  She's 5!  Her birthmother was 41.  How do you explain to a 5 year old the woman who gave her life is gone?  HOW? 

As far as we know, they haven't been together since Yaya was born.  Yet, we know without a doubt they have a spiritual connection we have tried desperately to understand, honor and respect.  After much prayer and advice from friends, family, spiritual and professional counselors we shared the news with Yaya.  She is taking the news as we were told she would.  She is obsorbing a little of the news at a time and of course she feels sad.  She wishes God could fix everyone's bodies and make them brand new again here on earth not just in heaven.  Who of us hasn't wished and prayed for this same thing?  We've been encouraged to talk to her about death and grief often so she doesn't feel it is taboo.  We've also been encouraged to share our own feelings of anger, sadness, questions of why to help her know she's safe and she's able to talk about it when/IF she wants to too.

There are so many thoughts and questions running through our minds.  There is so much we had hoped and dreamed for Yaya and her birthmother.  How do we begin to put our feelings to words and let those dreams for them go?  Thankfully a girlfriend of mine helped me see the truth and find some peace.  Yaya and her birthmother may not be together again here on earth but one day hopefully MANY MANY MANY years from now they will be reunited in Heaven.  That thought brings me peace and renewed hope.

For now, we grieve.  We give thanks for her letters she sent telling Yaya how much she is loved. We're thankful for the phone calls they shared that we captured on video for Yaya to know and hear her voice and be reminded she is and always will be loved and wanted by her birthmother. 

Please pray for our little girl as she finds her way through understanding what all of this means.  Pray that she remains a happy little girl who knows she is loved beyond measure no matter the circumstances.  Pray that Bird and I will have the wisdom to help her through the difficult times ahead as she processes what all of this means. 

Thank you