Aftermath of a Child's Prayer
The day my mother's loss did not kill my faith.59 total reviews
Comment from Paradox Tremors
At age 6, my father was taken away because of a hunting accident. I knew the moment he died because God allowed him to come to me and say "goodbye" before going to Heaven. So I understand your pain and grief. I was not allowed to go the funeral because I was so young and everyone thought I would be too upset to go.
Its difficult to write about the death of a love one when it happened at such a early age. I think you did an excellent job and wish you the best of luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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At age 6, my father was taken away because of a hunting accident. I knew the moment he died because God allowed him to come to me and say "goodbye" before going to Heaven. So I understand your pain and grief. I was not allowed to go the funeral because I was so young and everyone thought I would be too upset to go.
Its difficult to write about the death of a love one when it happened at such a early age. I think you did an excellent job and wish you the best of luck in the contest.
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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Thank you so very much for sharing your experience with me - it must have been so difficult as you had no time to steel yourself for the inevitable. I believe only someone like you can truly understand what happened to someone like me, and I thank you for reaching out. You are most kind. Peace, Brooke
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It brought tears to my eyes. And I enjoyed it. You did a great job on it.
Comment from lawriemac
To me, this is a bittersweet story.
It is sad because of the event but it is also heartwarming to read a little girl did not lose faith.
As I was reading, I was also admiring your attitude towards God and life.
I wil admit that I do wonder at times, and I do question God when I look at what is happening to the innocents of the world.
A nicely worded memoir which leaves me in no doubt as to your spiritual strength.
Best wishes
Lawrie
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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To me, this is a bittersweet story.
It is sad because of the event but it is also heartwarming to read a little girl did not lose faith.
As I was reading, I was also admiring your attitude towards God and life.
I wil admit that I do wonder at times, and I do question God when I look at what is happening to the innocents of the world.
A nicely worded memoir which leaves me in no doubt as to your spiritual strength.
Best wishes
Lawrie
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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I get angry with God sometimes, but that is an entirely different issue than failing to believe in Him and His ultimate wisdom. I can only get angry at Him if I believe He is there :-) Why do entire countries worth of people starve? I have no idea. Yet, some of the most faithful people I know are my homeless friends whom I serve breakfast each Tuesday morning. How many times have I asked, How are you today? to receive the answer - Blessed.
thank you so much for your insightful and warm response. :-) Brooke
Comment from trudy
My dear, you obviously can write in many genres. As you said, faith is just that--faith. It is not some kind of bargaining transaction. As we lost a daughter and then both of our mothers in less than two years, I guess we had two choices--to step away from God in anger or rest upon His promises. We chose, like you, to rest there and have not had one moment's regret nor do we ever expect to. That's faith. trudy
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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My dear, you obviously can write in many genres. As you said, faith is just that--faith. It is not some kind of bargaining transaction. As we lost a daughter and then both of our mothers in less than two years, I guess we had two choices--to step away from God in anger or rest upon His promises. We chose, like you, to rest there and have not had one moment's regret nor do we ever expect to. That's faith. trudy
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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I sometimes wonder at those who do back away - surely all their lives of praying and church going they have known other people die and suffer, and yet, they lose their faith only when the same fate that is handed to thousands of others each day befalls them. You and I know what it is to lose, and we also know that we share that experience with millions of other people. The question, Why me? is meaningless. thank you, friend. Peace, Brooke
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Brooke, it's nice to know your name. I would like to know you in person but I can't remember whether your profile tells where you live.
I'm a short, silver-haired (very short), senior citizen living in Oklahoma. As soon as I figure out how to do it, I will definitely put you on my fan list. trudy (That's really my name--at least the one I use. My real one we simply don't mention.)
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well, Trudy, I am a 57 year old very tall woman whose hair is kept brunette through home dying because my natural gray is not silver. I live near Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, which in turn is near Philly. I am AARP eligible but not yet ready to call myself a senior citizen LOL My children, on the other hand, tell me I am old all the time to get my goat! When the older one turns 30 in a year, I may just have to admit to it. LOL How the hell bad can your name be, woman? Come one, trust me. Fess up. I'll never mention it again :-) Peace, Brooke Evans Sibel Baldwin - how's that for a mouthful?
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Okay, Brooke, you asked for it. My father named me for the mother he adored who died when he was just 10. One name only, no middle name, Gertrude. I respect his wish to give me that name but I feel no connection with it and, besides, I think it's just a lousy name. My maiden name was Ferguson so today I use the "F" in the middle. I write under three names: G. F. Graham for business-type stuff, trudy graham for most things, and Geoff Graham from a male point of view. I'm sure you can figure the Geoff out. If you would like to really check me out, my website is gfgraham.com and my email address is trudyg@cox.net.
I'm 5'1" and my husband is 6'2" so you and I would be the same kind of pair. Okay, since you've brought up age, I'm 74. trudy
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I met neither of my grandmothers, but one was Gertrude! You are right, it is not the world's prettiest name. My mother was named Solveig, which is even worse. I've always loved my name - always thought it sounded strong and literary. Then I married into an even better name. Trudy it shall be :-) I will check out your website - you are only two years older than my sister Bobbe. Her real name is Roberta and she never liked her name either! :-)
Comment from Kingsland
you are so very right in saying that this kind of faith is a very private and personal thing. I think that writing something like this is very therapeutic. There is nothing that I found in the way of an error here. This was a very well written piece that was my pleasure to have read and reviewed it.. John
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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you are so very right in saying that this kind of faith is a very private and personal thing. I think that writing something like this is very therapeutic. There is nothing that I found in the way of an error here. This was a very well written piece that was my pleasure to have read and reviewed it.. John
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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John, thank you for your kind review, Brooke
Comment from Susanne M. Psyris
This is a very well-written commentary on a very hard to fathom topic...you see, I've always thought I was so blessed not to have any of my loved ones pass until I was 18 when my great-grandfather (95) passed in his sleep. I cannot imagine the sadness and devestation that you must have felt at that time...but through your words, I do understand your strong faith and how it has guided you through your life. Very powerful and emotive expression of "Faith" being the central theme of the piece...good luck in the contest. Hugs and smiles, Susanne
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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This is a very well-written commentary on a very hard to fathom topic...you see, I've always thought I was so blessed not to have any of my loved ones pass until I was 18 when my great-grandfather (95) passed in his sleep. I cannot imagine the sadness and devestation that you must have felt at that time...but through your words, I do understand your strong faith and how it has guided you through your life. Very powerful and emotive expression of "Faith" being the central theme of the piece...good luck in the contest. Hugs and smiles, Susanne
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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Susanne, I truly appreciate your thoughtful response. By the time I was 18 I had lost not only a mother but a stepmother and my one remaining grandparent died when I was 19. It changes a person, but hopefully one of the changes is added strength and understanding. :-) Brooke
Comment from tony bronk
Your couarage and faith is commendable and I respect you for that. Your story wss inspiring and it was very good of you to share. I have no such story to share but, when and if I ever do, I only hope that I can do it as well as you did with this write. tony
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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Your couarage and faith is commendable and I respect you for that. Your story wss inspiring and it was very good of you to share. I have no such story to share but, when and if I ever do, I only hope that I can do it as well as you did with this write. tony
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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Thank you so much for your compassionate response. Your kindness is truly appreciated. Peace, Brooke
Comment from babbi
So glad you decided to share this memory and profound thought process on what faith in God means. How much do you remember of your mother from your early childhood? Do you talk about your memories with other family members/friends who knew her? I, too, lost a parent at a young age; not as young as you, but I am trying to recall as much as I can and put it in writing for my own children. babbi
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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So glad you decided to share this memory and profound thought process on what faith in God means. How much do you remember of your mother from your early childhood? Do you talk about your memories with other family members/friends who knew her? I, too, lost a parent at a young age; not as young as you, but I am trying to recall as much as I can and put it in writing for my own children. babbi
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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I have a handful of very strong memories, all vignettes, not a continuous narrative - I've posted some poems about those memories I speak to my children of the grandmother they never met and am writing these poems for them. She had a huge impact on my developmental years and I still think of her each and every day :-) Thank you for such a thoughtful response to my memoir, Brooke
Comment from Maurice WA Johnson
This story makes me think, hard. You know that I do not share your beliefs, but that is beside the point. I am angry, I think. It is understandable that adults seek to protect a child from life's harsher realities. But It angers me. I was shielded by custom and distance from my father's death, and I hated it then as I hate it now. Being present at a persons last hours, minutes, is difficult. But I think that it is a proper thing, there is a comfort in the grief.
Today we seem to shun strongly emotional moments, I think that we are lesser for it.
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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This story makes me think, hard. You know that I do not share your beliefs, but that is beside the point. I am angry, I think. It is understandable that adults seek to protect a child from life's harsher realities. But It angers me. I was shielded by custom and distance from my father's death, and I hated it then as I hate it now. Being present at a persons last hours, minutes, is difficult. But I think that it is a proper thing, there is a comfort in the grief.
Today we seem to shun strongly emotional moments, I think that we are lesser for it.
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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I would be angrier at the people who stripped me of this experience if they did not love me so and if their intentions had not been so good, no matter how misguided. I honestly have an entire half year that is gone from my memory, and it freaks me out sometimes. But my parents loved me fiercely and they simply did not understand the mistake they were making. I should have been there, but I was not. Life goes on. :-) Thanks so much for your most thoughtful response. Peace,Brooke
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No Brooke, thank you for shareing this difficult memory with ud!
Comment from Margaret Snowdon
Oh, this is so sad, Brooke - and
yet you have come shining through.
Life goes on whatever... we are lucky
to have our faith to sustain us.
with my friend(,) Karen Christopher(,) for the night.
Regards,
Margaret.
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reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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Oh, this is so sad, Brooke - and
yet you have come shining through.
Life goes on whatever... we are lucky
to have our faith to sustain us.
with my friend(,) Karen Christopher(,) for the night.
Regards,
Margaret.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Oct-2008
reply by the author on 25-Oct-2008
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thanks for the lovely review, Margaret, and for the comma catch :-) Brooke
