Thank you for visiting my blog! If you are visiting because you have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, let me say that I am so very sorry. I started this blog shortly after our Baby Grady was stillborn on November 12, 2008. Please visit the sidebar below called "Labels" to find the topic in which you are interested, or just read as your heart desires.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

The Boy With A Balloon Of Hope

Do you remember me telling you how awesome my friends are?

Awesome, amazing, wonderful, fabulous, thoughtful, kind, loving....those are just a few words to describe them. God has truly blessed me with an amazing family of friends, and I am truly thankful! Some "get it" more than others, but I love them all!

The week that school was getting out, I was at a local store getting gifts for Jessica's teachers. It is a cool store that has different vendor booths with all kinds of things to choose from. I was walking to the counter with my items, and something caught my eye. I stopped, picked it up, looked at it, thought about how nice it would be to have it, and put it back down.

On my way home, I passed my friend and neighbor, Yvonne. We rolled our windows down and chatted for a few minutes. I told her what I'd been doing and what I'd just seen at this store. We said goodbye and went our separate ways.

Fast forward about four hours. I came home from the grocery store and saw something blue at my mailbox. I just caught a glimpse of whatever it was, and thought, "Oh geez, something must have blown out of someone's recycling bin." So, after I pulled into the garage, I went to get whatever it was. As I got closer, I realized that it was a beautifully wrapped present.

Hmmm.....

I started opening it and about halfway up the drive, I knew what it was and who it was from. I marched myself right across the street, tears and all, to thank this beautiful, thoughtful, most kind friend of mine. She had gone to get the very item that I had just told her about. I can't tell you how this touched my heart!

I had passed a section in the store that had various Willow Tree angels. They are simple, but beautiful, and each one has a special meaning. I just LOVE them!

One in particular caught my eye...if you've read about Grady's balloons and the message of HOPE, then you'll understand why I liked it and why it means so much to me.

Here's a picture of it...



...a little boy holding up a balloon with the word hope in it! On the card that came with the angel, it says, "Hope lifts us up".

And that it does, my friends. It lifts me every day. I live with, by, for and because of the promise of HOPE given to us through our Lord, Jesus Christ. The HOPE that I WILL see Grady again, alive and well. The HOPE and promise that God will carry me through these dark and trying days...through this tough season of my life. The HOPE that God has plans for good, not evil, for my life (read Jeremiah 29:11 in the box at the top of my blog). HOPE is what helps me put one foot in front of the other. That and wonderful, loving, encouraging people in my life like Yvonne.

Thank you my friend! I love you!

Love,
Tonya

10 comments:

  1. WOW!....That is so special!!!! God gave you that special gift throught the heart of a friend. How wonderful!

    God is so good! And that was just the perfect reminder of His love for you.

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  2. I love it Tonya. I am so glad you have someone so close that loves you and cares for you. It is such a precious gift during these days. Praising God for giving us all of those promises of HOPE in His Word. Blessings on your Sunday!
    Sara

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  3. That is such a wonderful story. What a beautiful friend you have!

    I love it!

    love,
    ebe

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  4. Aw Tonya, that is so beautiful. Friends are truly invaluable. What a precious gift.

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  5. That is such a precious story! I absolutely LOVE willow tree angels!!! They are my favorite thing ever! I'm so glad that you have such beautiful neighbors to do such thoughtful things.......what a wonderful gift! I hope you have a great week!

    Kristin

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  6. Oh Tonya, what a beautiful gift and I know that the memories behind it must make it even more special. God wants to give your heart hope. I will be praying for you as you walk through one of the hardest journeys of a mother's heart. The quote you have underneath dear Grady's picture really ministered to me. "Too beautiful for earth."

    I pray you feel the loving arms of Jesus around you today.

    Love,
    Joye

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  7. Tonya, Yvonne's sweet gift to you is now ministering to me, as well. Thank you for your beautiful post. It was encouraging to read your words about hope. As it does for you, hope allows me to go on every day, never forgetting my babies but, instead, clutching on to the confidence that we will one day see them again. Perhaps our Hope, Adam, and Charlie have found your little Grady in heaven. :)

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  8. Tonya...that is so beautiful. What a wonderful friend. I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Grady. And praying for God's continued comfort and sufficient grace for you...

    Thanks for your comments on MckMama's blog. Please let us know if there is ever anything we can do for you.

    In His Grace,
    Kelly Gerken
    Sufficient Grace Ministries

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  9. Tonya,
    I love you, and I'm so honored that you wrote this story in your blog. When we passed each other that day and you told me about the Willow Tree Angel you had just seen, I knew that instant why we had run into each other and where I was going next. That gift didn't come from me alone... don't ever forget that!

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