A Sad Time for My Family

[Jerrilyn]

Some of you may have thought I'd flown the coop. I didn't exactly; I just haven't laid any eggs lately, nor have I felt like cackling. I've provided the link to a blog.

http://jerricreations.blogspot.com/

[jo]

How terribly sad. I know your faith will sustain you all.

[frank abramonte]

Jerrilyn , I'm overly sorry for your loss.
Your brave family will benefit from the precious time you were allowed to spend with baby Jude Michael.

[Jancy]

So sorry for your loss.

[Chesney]

My thoughts and prayers will be with your family during these difficult times! I am so sorry for your loss!

[vawitt]

These are beautiful photos of a beautiful baby boy....something to treasure always. I'm so sorry for your loss, and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

[baycruisers]

This is just heartbreaking. Thank you for sharing it with us. It reminds me how precious little lives are and what they bring to us.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

[JulieM]

Oh, Jerrilyn,

I can't even say how sorry I am to hear this news. He was a beautiful baby who clearly touched many in his short life. For all your story's sadness, it's lovely to think of all Jude's family gathering in his beautiful new garden to serenade him...

Julie

[lsweeney]

Jerrilyn, what a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing the story; your words and the photos. You and your family will remain in our prayers as you move forward through this time. I read through your blog once, then read it a second time while hearing the song "Be not Afraid" playing in the background of my mind. Peace to you and your family.

"Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come! Follow me!
And I will give you rest."

[rubeelou]

I can't say a lot I am too overwhelmed with sadness
my thoughts are with you all
Pam

[Inspeqtor]

Jerry,

There is no way I could know your loss. My thoughts are with you.

[dixiemail]

I am sorry to read of your tragic loss. Time will help you cope, you have precious memories of Jude Michael to help sustain you in the future.

Regards Joan

[Howie]

So sad, but beautifully moving photographs of Love.
Thank you for sharing this.

[Gre2eneyes]

Jerrylyn,
I am so sad for the loss of your sweet grandson. This has really struck a note with me as I went through this very same thing 5 years ago with my little sister. She lost her little girl in her 24th week of pregnancy and they said it was because of the deterioration of the cord. The baby was perfect in every way but unfortunately hers was stillborn. I was with her when she delivered this baby and it was the saddest time I have ever been through. Even the doctor had tears in her eyes.
She got pregnant again a few months later and because she was so in tune with her own body after losing little Casey, she knew when the babys heartbeat slowed and went right to the doctors. They did an emergency C section (at 29 weeks) and saved her baby.
Alyssa is now 4 years old and doing fine. The only thing they told her that it could be caused by was a rare genetic defect that causes issues in pregnancy and most people don't even know they have it. Its called
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and a simple blood test will show whether or not the mother has it, and my sister was postive.
Your blog just touched my heart so much and it was so close to what my sister and her husband went through that I had to tell you. Plus the fact that my sisters husbands name is Mike and the baby she lost was named Casey. We took pictures of them holding their little girl as well, and yes, it was again the saddest experience of my life. Watching my brother in law sit there and cry as he held his little girl who weighed in at 2 pounds and he is 6 foot 7 and close to 300 pounds.
I am so sorry that this is so long but I had to share.
Judy

[winclk]

my heart and prays go out to you and your family.

i just lost my grand-daughter this past july. she was 1 month old. we were told she died from sids.

i wasn't able to finish reading your blog today but i will try again tomorrow.

[Wendy]

Hi Jerrilyn ...

I am so sorry to hear the sad news ... Jude was a beautiful baby and there was so much love packed into his sort life. Thank you so much for sharing the precious memories and photographs with us.

My thoughts and sympathy are with you and your family

Wendy

[Tom K]

My prayers are with you and yours in this most difficult time. Tom

[SharLamb]

Bless your heart.

I came home from a few days away to find your posting. I am sobbing as I type. You wrote: "People say that, with time, the grief will be lighter. Although I hope so, I don't think it will; I simply think I will learn to cope in a new way."

You are right in many ways. We lost our 2-year-old granddaughter 4 years ago, and although the stabbing pain doesn't come as often, when it comes, it is as painful as ever. Grief is does not travel in a linear path, but rather comes in waves. Someone at the memorial for her told us that we would never get over it. Although I thought that was cruel at the time, he knew from the experience of losing his son, that you are changed forever. You will be surprised one day, though, that you went an hour without thinking about him, and you will even laugh again (impossible to believe right now, I know).

When people ask you, years from now, how many grandchildren you have, you will hesitate for a moment...do you say (x number) LIVING, or do you just quietly tell them the number of living grandchildren you have so as to not have to tell the story again. When you change the photos on the wall of your growing grandchildren, you will grieve because there are no new photos of Jude. Then there are the usual dates that will always bring sadness...his birthday, his deathday. And you will, no doubt feel that you have lost not only a grandson, but a daughter, for she will never be the same girl you knew either.

My daughter and son-in-law beat the odds. Their marriage grew stronger as they rested in the Lord and the love of those around them. They have an older daughter who needed to get back to as normal a life as possible. Then there was the blow of 2 miscarriages. But at last, an adorable little girl, and then last year, a little boy.

We are leaving Wednesday night to go visit these dear ones for a couple weeks, and of course, I will have you in my prayers every day, as I wallow in the hugs and kisses...never EVER taking them for granted as I once did.

Here (http://www.scrappersguide.com/forums/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17346&cat=500&ppuser=5657)is the memorial page I recently made for our dear little girl.

I hope you can feel all the love and tenderness I, and many others here, are sending you.

Love,
Shar

[ljameso1]

What a moving tribute.

[Tina_B]

My goodness, I just can stop crying after reading your blog. Let me say that you are so blessed to have such a wonderful loving family to support each other.
Blessing to you and your family.
Tina B

[Deborah]

I'm just to chocked up also reading about your loss. Peace and Prayers for you and your family.
Deborah

[Aussie Nan]

Jerrilyn, so sorry to hear your sad news.

Your blog gives a true indication of the emotions you have all been through, and whilst it is very sad to read, it is also a privilege to be 'allowed' to read it. Thank you for sharing, and reminding us all of the important things in life.

May memories of Jude, and the love you all shared with each other throughout this time sustain you.

[Diana]

Jerri, this is so, so sad. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

Diana

[NMarti]

Jerrilyn
I am so sorry to hear your sad news. I can't even imagine the heartbreak you must be going through. I certainly was terrified when my grandson was born as they had trouble getting him to breath. It took a long time and those were the most excruciating moments of my life. My prayers are with your family.

[Jerrilyn]

Thank you, all, for your kind and comforting words. We are still in the "just put one foot ahead of the other" mode. Judy, I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet niece. And, Robin and Shar, I am so sorry for the loss of your granddaughters. Your words touched me so much because I can feel how fresh your pain is still today. When I think of my sweet Jude, I will also think of your sweet baby girls.

Someone told me through all this that this experience makes you never take life for granted again. But, here's the thing: I know I never have taken it for granted. Only now, I am running the risk of being emotionally crippled because I'm afraid of letting my loved ones out of my sight. It's the delicate fragility of life that I must learn to live with so that I can appreciate today instead of living in fear of tomorrow.

[christellf]

Jerrilyn,
My heart & prayers go out to you & your family in the loss of that precious little baby. It took me several attempts to go back & finish reading your story. I couldn't quit crying. It must feel like you lost part of yourself & can't imagine what your daughter is going through. Your sister did an awesome job with the photos.
Keeping you in my prayers,
Christell

[dales]

Jerrylin, I can't think of anything to add to all that has been said in the other messages. I too had a difficult time getting to the end of your blog recap. The pictures are phenomenal to be treasured forever. You know that the love that was given Jude during his short life was felt by him. God creates & takes away but you will always cherish him. My prayers are with you and your family.