On a Thursday morning many years ago, a seventeen year old teenager gave birth to a seven pound, ten ounce baby girl. That teen mom loved her little baby girl and loved watching her grow up, taking her first steps, saying her first words, going to school, meeting her friends, and watching the many milestones in her child’s life. And then, when her little girl grew into adulthood, the daughter became ill, and many times over the years the mom thought her daughter would die. But her daughter was a survivor, and despite all the illness, she kept going, and most of the time with a smile on her face. But one day very quietly, the daughter went to sleep and did not wake up.
That mom was me. Many of you know that my daughter Tobi passed quietly away on November 1st. Today would have been her birthday. I have a very important message for you on this special day – the day that she came into my world as my baby girl. That message is to enjoy the moments in your own life. Enjoy your time with your children. Always, always cherish the gift of life for we know not when that gift can be taken from us. For the first months following Tobi’s passing away, I grieved terribly, and then this past summer, I took a month time out to be with family and friends away from home. I felt reborn surrounded by love, and realized that I needed to celebrate life instead of dwelling on loss. I needed to celebrate the good things. So my message to you on this special day, is to open the windows of your heart to life, to love, to laughter, and to joy. Cherish the moments.
Have a great day and a wonderful new school year teaching.
Maryln
9 comments:
I LOST MY HUSBAND AND MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER's FATHER (only child) through CANCER. I hope you had the support of friends and family. Watching her experience all the milestones of growing up without support and someone to share it took it's toll on me. I do know any loss of a family member is traumatic. You are right to appreciate each and every day. I only hope your message in this letter does make a difference.
Your message today was beuatiful...it gave me chills. God bless you and God by with Tobi!
Thinking of you today. Thanks for sharing with us. xoxo
Maryln, Thanks for your message today. We lost a student at our school this summer and I have had many mixed emotions as the school year has started. You message reminded me that we need to celebrate life...cherishing every moment!
Today's message was amazing. I cried. You are a very strong woman.
I email your quotes to my staff daily and add them to various staff memos. This one is going to be saved for something special.
Thank you and I'm sorry for your loss.
Marilyn,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. You are so right to celbrate life and the life of the daughter you lost. I lost a sister a few years back and miss he terribly. My other sisters and I just celebrated what would have been her 50th birthday. We enjoyed wonderful memories and alot of laughs. I know that she would not have wanted it any other way.
God bless you and thank you for all your expertise and training. I love allelbaum seminars and have found them to be both enjoyable and helpful.
Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments. I did something else new today to celebrate Tobi's life, and I will be sharing it in a thought for the day soon. Maybe it will help those of you who still grieve for thos you love too.
Your comments are all heartwarming.
Marilyn, thank for sharing your story with us all. Too often we take those we love for granted thinking there will always be another tomorrow. After surviving both breast and ovarian cancer at the same time 38 years ago, my 84-year-old mother was just diagnosed with breast cancer in her remaing breast. Although Mom can often be overbearing, hard to deal with or even downright unpleasant and grumpy, she is truly a gift and an amazing example of strength and forbearance, for her three daughters, three granddaughters, four great-granddaughters and everyone else she meets. Rather than saying "Why me?", she says, "Why not me?" and gets on with her life! Thank you for reminding us all to treasure every moment we have with our loved ones no matter how difficult some of those moments may be!
Dear Maryln & Family: Your Life has touched be in so many ways. To live in Christ's Light coming from Darkness is LIFE>>>>Losing a child is probably the hardest thing to bear in our Life here on earth. So God Our Creator LET HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON be nailed to a CROSS for our sins so we can LIVE with the GIFT of FORGIVENESS & LOVE. TO TEACH US!!!!! So for Tobi to be taken away is a REFLECTION of all your LOVE you had for her & how many souls you will touch by your story. We are NOT in control of anything we Do or OWN. IT IS ALL HIS "EVERYTHING". Our Creator (The Almighty) has all this worked out, It is HIS PERFECT PLAN & we need HIM<<< THAT IS(IN EACH & EVERYONE OF US)to GUIDE US< LEAD US< HOME & One day>>>>> "THE BELIEVERS">>>>> will one day be UNITED together as One In Peace & Love & FREEDOM FROM PAIN & SIN WILL BE NO MORE>>>>>God bless you today & your family & for all the Wisdom & Knowlege that has been BESTOWED on you & Thank you for Sharing it & your LIFE with us. & Most of all THANK-YOU JESUS. The following are lyrics to a song called "ABOVE ALL ELSE" written by Stormie O'Martian (AUTHOR)of "The Power of a Praying Parent" & sung by Debby Boone: "So much to say & just a lifetime left to say it. How quickly time passes. If I had my way. I'd keep you safe within my arms While the storm of life crashes. I won't always be with you, my child, but words I can give. When the winds of hope are dying down, these words will live. Above all else, know God's the ONE who'll never leave you. Look to Him above all else. He is love you can depend upon, a heart set to care. If in the darkest night you should be lost, He will be there. He's the Everlasting Father, In His hands you'll never fall. He's the One who holds it all, Above all else. He's the Author of your laughter, He's the Keeper of your tears, He's the One who you must fear Above all else. He's the Giver of the kingdom Bought for you from the start, And He'll ask you for your heart Above all else. So much to say And not enough time left to say it. Just LOVE the Lord Above all else. "AMEN" "God is Love" (1-John 4:8)Again Thank-You & may God's Word be instilled in your hearts>>>>>>>"This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees The Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:40) God Bless Sandy Weiss Baltimore Maryland
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