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.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Grady's Service, Part 3, "The Balloons"

I feel like I've been missing from Wednesday's Walk forever, but it has really only been a couple of weeks.



Today I'm writing to tell you about the perfectly amazing, awesome balloon release that we did at the end of Grady's service.



(If you missed the first two parts and would like to catch up, click here.)

I don't know about you, but I love balloon releases! We started them a few years ago on the girls' birthdays. We write a message like, "Thank You God, I'm ___" on a balloon and let it go.

Gib's birthday is on Dec. 4th. This year he came home with some balloons that he got from work. This was only a few weeks after Grady had died, and the pain was still so fresh for all of us. I remember Gib quietly got up from the table, got a balloon and started writing on it. He had tears streaming down his face (I don't see him cry often!). He wrote, "We miss you Baby Grady. We love you!" on it. My memory fails me as to whether we all wrote on a balloon, but we went out into the cold, dark night and released that balloon. It was a moment I'll never forget.

Having said that, I knew that I wanted to do a balloon release at Grady's service. The weather that day was less than ideal. It had been raining the night before, and it was overcast and misting. Not even sprinkling, just misting.

Everyone was instructed to get a balloon (we had blue and white balloons) and write a message to Grady on it if they wanted to. When everyone was done, we walked outside and gathered in a group.



I counted to three, and we released the balloons at once. We sang "Jesus Loves You" (instead of Jesus Loves Me) because, of course, I wanted us to sing it to him.



It was amazing what those balloons did. They ALL stayed together! Not one of them strayed. Dr. Joe made the comment, with his arms open wide to the sides, "It's like he's in heaven with his arms like this". That's exactly what it was like!

The shapes that those balloons made is what amazed me most. Now, remember, I had asked God the night before for a sign that Grady was with Him and that all was well. As if the message of HOPE and "the candle" weren't enough, those balloons formed the shape of a lowercase "g", a boy sign (you know, with the circle and the line coming from it and the other line going diagonal? - Oh, I wish I could draw it for you!), a baby rattle, and the Christian fish symbol. Someone else had my camera, so we only have a picture of the fish. But we have the rest of it on video (ancient video or I'd try to post it!).



Thanks for reading this part of his service and remembering that special day.

--------------------



Please pray for Kayleigh's family. This sweet baby girl was born severely premature like Emma Grace (this picture reminds me SO much of when Emma Grace was born), but unfortunately, she encountered many difficulties in her short life. After 9 or 10 months in the hospital, she had complications from her last surgery that caused brain damage. Their only wish was to bring her home, but it was not meant to be. She went to be with Jesus Monday night. This family could really use your prayers today and in the days/months ahead. Thank you.

Love,
Tonya

9 comments:

  1. I've been catching up on some of your posts and I loved reading about Grady's service from your past memory posts. The message of Hope and the ring and how you both thought the same thing......that is so neat how God was showing you that He was there. That is my absolute favorite bible verse too. I will keep you in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your sweet son with us.

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  2. I love that you did a balloon release for Grady. Reading your past posts about his memorial service, it seems like the perfect thing to do.

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  3. Sarah, This part of Grady's service was so neat. It is like sending a special message,...and reaching up to God....like special prayers.

    Everything I read just touched my heart so much. You are a special lady!

    May Our God Wrap You In His Loving Arms!
    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

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  4. Sorry Tonya,...I called you Sarah!
    I am tired and have had a long day. (smile)
    Linda

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  5. Tonya - I read the three parts of Grady's service last night but was so emotional already I could post a comment. But I wanted you to know that I had read them - that Grady's memory is imprinted in my mind through your words. I ache with you and pray for God's peace for both of us.
    Blessings,
    Rachel

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  6. Tonya, thank you so much for sharing.. I wish we had thought to do a balloon release for Seth's service...

    Grady was beautiful. I"m sorry he's not hear with you but grateful he's safe in His Heavenly Father's arms...

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  7. Tonya,
    That is just beautiful. Baby Grady was so fortunate to have you for his mommy and your whole family for his family. I am sure he felt all of the love from you all throughout your pregnancy. Tonya, I just hurt for you...for me and our families. My heart aches. I just have to keep clinging to the small seed of HOPE I have within me. I know the hope I have of my salvation and seeing our boys again... but that feels so far away. I have hope though for HIS restoring us, deep in our hearts. I pray for that for you too. I am praying for you today! That is amazing that the balloons formed those shapes:) Awesome, that God gave you that little gift:)
    Sara

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  8. What beautiful and special memories honoring Grady's life and his presence in your lives.

    I love the balloons and that they made shapes and a letter 'g'. *sigh*

    Having a sad day...wishing Grady and Owen were making messes and running their mommies around today.

    love you,
    ebe

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