THE MISSION

Welcome Mothers, Fathers, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends and anyone else who needs an ear...Please come with an open heart.

This is a place for anyone who has felt the loss of a child. Treat this as a communication haven regardless of how or when you felt your loss. My definition of loss: miscarriage at any stage, still birth regardless of week gestation, infant death at any month, and loss of a child even if your child was all grown up. For me they all hold the same root of devestation. None are more profound or more "easily" dealt with than another.

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Show and Tell - Selfless Giving

My Emma Grace - perfect and stunning in her quiet beauty.
This week's show and tell came in the mail. It brought me to my knees, moved me to tears in a way that only a gift of selflessness can.

A few weeks ago I was reading blogs, and Brenna's sketch-of-the-day caught my eye. Although I am creative I am not artistic. I don't grieve a non-skill, for I have plenty of my own. But it does heighten my appreciation for other's work. I left a comment to that end, noting that I had always wanted a sketch done of Emma. There is much more to that story - but I left it there, my sadness hanging, mine to deal with - to make choices around.

An e-mail popped in my inbox. "I'd love to try sketching Emma for you." I was stunned, moved to the core. Hoping this wasn't one of those really good dreams you wake from, I scanned the one picture we have of Emma, and a picture of her bunny - then, hoping I wasn't pushing my luck as this sweet woman was volunteering to do this...I asked her to make some modifications. You may recall I was never fully satisfied with the over-striped image that hung on my wall.

The package arrived Friday. I knew what it was, and yet – I didn’t. It represented an image of my daughter I had desired for years, simple, elegant - pure Emma. I ran my hand over the smooth surface, feeling the energy pump through my veins. Allowing the emotion to build, knowing an overwhelming outpour was my future. I embraced it, allowed it to build. Still stroking the glossy letters like an old lady pets her favorite cat. I sighed with contentment. Emma was in this long, flat, shiny box with PRIORITY MAIL tape running the full perimeter. I have waited for this for years.



And I have. And it is perfect. And she hangs peacefully in the space under her memory shelf that has remained intentionally empty for 8 years - waiting for the image of Emma that reflecs the meaning of her short life.

I'll close with the poingiant words of the amazing woman who created this, "She's such a beautiful girl. I feel as though I now know and love the contours of her sweet face."

Yes - and, now - so do I, thanks to you.

24 comments:

CLC said...

That's a beautiful sketch for a beautiful girl!

Arian said...

What a beautiful sketch! This is a wonderful way to remember such a special baby girl.

Brenna said...

Oh Cara. I have tears streaming down my face--you honor me far too much. It was a gift to do this for you.

You're such a beautiful person, Emma was clearly her mother's daughter and I only wish I could have captured her beauty as fully on the page as I experienced it during the time I spent with her photograph.

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous gift to receive! She is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Eve

battynurse said...

Beautiful sketch.

Bluebird said...

Its breathtaking in its beauty. What a wonderful gift, and what a wonderful little girl. I'm so glad you have this, and so thankful for the wonderful people who make things like this happen.

Queenie. . . said...

That is soooo beautiful. What a thoughtful, generous gift.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely Beautiful. The sketch and your baby girl.

Kristin said...

What an amazing gift.

ezra'smommy said...

Oh she's gorgeous. What a lovely gift.

Beautiful Mess said...

What a beautiful sketch. I'm moved to tears over your beautiful daughter and the selfless act of Brenna. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful daughter with us.

Amy said...

Stunning! She is beautiful and Brenna, does a very nice job of capturing all that you want! I'm glad you have your space filled!

Carrie said...

What a wonderful gift. I can't begin to imagine how meaningful that is to you and how much comfort you may find in her tiny image. Sending you much peace.

MrsSpock said...

That is absolutely lovely.

The Steadfast Warrior said...

Cara! Oh my! What an extraordinary gift! Such a stunning depiction of a beautiful girl.

Liv said...

Kudos to Brenna. She did a remarkable job. I have love her section of "sketch of the day".

I'm so happy you received this and it now hangs right where it should. She's beautiful.

k@lakly said...

It's beautiful. She's beautiful.
xxoo

..al said...

Wow! Emma Grace!

The sketch is wonderfully done and so very nice and considerate of Brenna to have done this for you.

Heart-warming!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

Just lovely, so beautiful. Dearest Emma, thank you Mommy for sharing this, Brenna too.

Baby Smiling In Back Seat said...

Amazing! It looks just like her. The bunny is such a sweet addition.

Lisa DG said...

She is lovely and the sketch is perfect.

Susan D. said...

What a wonderful portrait of your sweet daughter.

Dora said...

Magnificent! Beautiful portrait of your beautiful girl. You know, I'm no longer astonished by the outpouring of love in this community. I just accept it. Cool!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing gift. It is beautiful.

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