Light A Candle  / T. Cooley (Mommy)

Sunday, December 14th was National Children's Memorial Day.  People gather across the world to light candles in memory of children who died.  My local Bereaved Parent's chapter does a beautiful candlighting ceremony.  After all families light their candles we sing a song called  Light A Candle by Paul Alexander.  A few of the words are:

The seasons come and go, and I'm weary from the change.
I keep on moving on, you know it's not the same.

And the chorus:

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.

I lit a candle for Malena; Madelyn made a beautiful butterfly to add to the wall.  Sitting in that crowded room with other hurting families, some newly bereaved by only a month or two while others further along than I, I felt a sense of peace.  It was a place where I could cry for my baby, for the injustice of not buying gifts for 4 children but 3, for not knowing Rosie girl as a 10 year old. 

I could cry those tears that I am forced to keep inside by a world and family who believe that I should just get over it already.  Sadly, I know that people who I am or was closest to believe that because Malena has been dead for 8 years, I should somehow be over it.  I am not.  I miss her so much especially at this time of the year.  I put on a good face, I decorate the house and tree, I go to the parties and even enjoy them but I ache for the child I miss.  Her absence is never far away. 

So, I light a candle and try to pull strength from the flame and warmth it gives.

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Oh what a time...  / Valerie Tinkey (Cousin)

I can scarcely believe it's been almost 8 years since that beautiful, little girl left us. I'll never forget that fateful September day, though I try to block it out. People say the grieving process for a child is 8 years. I was twelve when she died and this year marks number 8. So for some I should be "healed" of my hurt or past "all of that", but it hurts as much today as it did yesterday and the first day that I was told my cousin had been called to heaven. We who truly knew and loved her will never really get over her. I have a picture of her in my room and at times I catch myself just starring at it. Sometimes I wish if I stare long enough it will take me back to that day, her last birthday. I can't seem to grip the concept of moving on. So for now I try to be happy that she's with my Father and He's taking care of her.

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So very sorry  / Hazel Z. (Friend)
Dearest Traci,

I read the story of your sweet little daughter and my own heart, the heart of a mother, was broken and moved.  How fast something so horrible can happen!  My own little girl, Claire, is a whirlwind of motion ... into everything.  I am doubly struck by the importance of knowing what she is up to every minute!  How fast disaster strikes!!

God be with you and your family,
hazel Close

ONE OF GOD'S LITTLEST ANGELS  / PAUL LEBLANC (GREAT UNCLE )
HER SOUL IS IN THE HANDS OF JESUS AND HER SPIRIT IS JOYOUS IN THE LORD Close

hopes / Jennifer Shelton (another angels mommy )
Cooley family,
I hope our daughters are playing in Heaven together.  Our stories are so similar.  It hurts my heart to know that your family endured such a tragic accident.  I guess God needed a few more of the sweetest angels he sent to earth back in Heaven with Him.  I hope that there are lots of balloons and bubbles, Goldfish crackers and Dum-Dums lollipops, bubble baths and bouncing on beds.  I hope there are acorns under the oak trees, frogs on the screens and pink nailpolish for tiny toes.  I hope our little angels watch over us every day and blow kisses to their little sisters.  I know we'll see them again someday.
Love to you all,
Jennifer Shelton, mommy to Angel Emma(7/8/03-5/8/05)
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Malena's Angel Pin  / T. Cooley (mommy)


I am ever amazed by the "angels" who live among us.  I am pleased to have found one her name is Rosemary.  Rosemary has taken a talent that God has given her and used that talent to soothe the hearts of bereaved people through creating angel pins in memory of loved ones lost.  Rosemary's custom angel pins are a beautiful tribute to our loved ones.  She takes the time to learn about the person she is designing the pin in memory/honor of and puts those elements into the pin.  The results are quite breath taking.

Rosemary has created a beautiful one of a kind angel pin in memory of Malena.  The pin can be viewed and purchased at  http://www.angelsbyrosemary.com/malena.htm .  

Rosemary's general website is at www.angelsbyrosemary.com Close

~For God So Loved Me~  / T. Cooley (mommy)

~For God So Loved Me~        

For God so loved me, he sent me to earth
He called the event another human birth.

For God so loved me, he walked with me each day
His love to sustain me in every needful way.

For God so loved me, he gave me loved ones dear
He knew I’d be lonely while I spent time here.

For God so loved me, he called me home to stay
He knew I’d be missed, but there was no other way.

For God so loved me, I now reside above
He lets me keep watch on all below I love.

I’m now home in heaven…no more on earth to be
Eternity is wondrous… I’m glad God so loved me.

~Charlene Dickerson~2002~

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Guardian Angels  / Tammy Hill (none)

When Angels sense you need them,
And Angels always do ...
They come, unseen, from everywhere
To help and comfort you.

They hover close beside you
Till all your cares are gone,
Till they can see you're ready
Once again to carry on.

Then some of them may fly away
And take their gentle touch,
To other hearts that need
The love of Angels very much.

But one, at least, stays with you
As your constant friend and guide,
For GUARDIAN ANGELS never leave,
They're always at your side.

~ Author Unknown ~
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~If I Could Bottle All the Pain~  / T. Cooley (Mommy)

If I could bottle all the pain, all the sorrow and the tears
if I could bottle the suffering I’ve endured these years…

Then perhaps you’d understand, or at least it would show
the load of grief I carry, no one could ever know.

If a bottle were strong enough to hold the crushing flow
of heartache and tears I carry here below…

Then perhaps you wouldn’t judge me when grief is raging wild
for I’m trying to find a living place without my darling child.

If a bottle could contain such magnitude of sorrow
then others might understand I don’t know about tomorrow.

God called for my child to leave this earth below
and I’ve learned more about heartache… than I ever wanted to know.
~Charlene Dickerson~2003

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Four Years  / T. Cooley (Mommy)

 

Four Years

In four years so much can change:

High school diplomas are earned;

College degrees completed;

An Olympic Athlete competes for the gold; 

An American President comes and goes;

An infant becomes a toddler;

A toddler becomes a child;

A child becomes a teen;

A teen becomes an adult;

What four years doesn’t change:

Malena is still gone. 

Eternally two years old; missed forever by those who love her!

 

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