ten little fingers. ten little toes. as a mama with new babies, that’s what i looked for. didn’t you? i can hear the cry from a room of nurses and midwives and grandparents, as they celebrated the arrival of a whole little person.
somehow, that symbolized perfection. whew – deep sigh – baby was all there, whole and perfect.
but what if she wasn’t? or he wasn’t? what if, like my precious friends, we’d tried for years and couldn’t have a baby of our own? what if we’d been given a baby who, by the world’s standards, wasn’t “perfect?”
i volunteered for years for a beautiful organization called now i lay me down to sleep. (i need to get back to it since we’ve moved.) we offer free photographic services to families who are losing a little one at or near birth; we offer a way for them to validate the life of their precious baby, for however long they have the chance to hold him or her, here on earth.
my daughter once asked me, “do you cry at the sessions, mama?” “yes, usually, i do,” i said. “do you cry for the mamas, or for the babies?” she asked.
and really with very little analysis, i realized i cry for the families. the babies, they will be ok. they’ll join their papa-Creator in His arms, and He will hold them, complete and without earth-brokenness. but the families, they get only a taste of that creation-breath, if at all. they get only a glimpse of the person they helped form, here in the shadowlands. and if they have no knowledge of the One who molded those limbs, those lips, who painted those perfect lashes, then they hold their little one without hope.
if, though, they know Him, if they walk hand-in-hand with the Artist who makes all things beautiful, then their moments of encounter with their smallest loved one are a mere glimmer of the light and the beauty that will be shared completely, in all its glory, at the end-and-beginning of Life, complete, when they reunite with Him and with each other.
so yes, here on earth, ten seems a perfect number. but our eyes see darkly, dimly, through a mottled mirror that doesn’t accurately reflect what is Perfect about us each. though we all are broken, we are formed in the womb of our mother with intent and care, with love and artistry. and someday, in our new home with the One who loves us most, the ultimate glory of our creation will be visible, and we will celebrate… we will dance.
p.s. – feel inspired to write? or to see what others are sharing? i’m joining a cool group of thinkers and writers sharing on fridays – stop here to see the beginning of the journey.
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Poppy A.
July 24, 2015 at 9:14 pmMade your human Daddy cry with this beautiful observation & insight…
admin
July 28, 2015 at 10:41 amso much love, poppy…
denise
July 24, 2015 at 9:57 pmbeyond precious, tears are flowing from my eyes. be blessed.
admin
July 28, 2015 at 10:40 amthank you so much, denise… you, also. 🙂
Nora
July 25, 2015 at 2:21 amYour involvement with that organization is amazingly inspiring. I discovered them when I was pregnant with Steven and was told by a specialist that he wouldn’t make it. Thank God he did, but I was so inspired by that group and the beautiful service that they provide when I found myself in a position where I thought I might be in need of their services.
Nora recently posted…Spicy Smoked Back Ribs with Maple Glaze
admin
July 28, 2015 at 10:40 amthank you for letting me know, nora! such a blessing to serve those walking that road… and thank the Lord for your beautiful miracle boy!!!
Kate Motaung
July 27, 2015 at 3:15 pmWow, what a ministry you’ve had through your work! Can’t imagine the emotions that must go with those experiences. Such a blessing that you have been able to minister in such tangible ways. Thanks for sharing and linking up with Five Minute Friday!
Kate Motaung recently posted…when God answers the desperate prayers of our hearts
admin
July 28, 2015 at 10:39 amkate, thank you so much for stopping by, and for your faithfulness to the five minute friday crew… each time i join in, i’m challenged and inspired. be blessed, sister!
Mary Geisen
August 14, 2015 at 2:15 pmBeautiful words about a perfect ten and or heavenly father. I’m so glad you found me so I could come and be blessed today by your words. I will be praying for you and your ministry as you comfort parents in the midst of deep loss.
Mary Geisen recently posted…A Brave Gathering
admin
August 27, 2015 at 4:09 pmthank you so much, mary! i’m glad i found you, too… such sweetness from a sister-heart. xo!