Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Isaac's 2nd Birthday

It's a strange thing to figure out how to celebrate the second birthday of your child who is no longer here. I am not sure I will ever feel celebratory on October 7th... bittersweet seems to be more accurate. The bitter reality that Isaac is no longer here coupled with the sweetness of memories of having gotten to meet him, to have snuggled him, and to have loved him his whole life.

Families who have lost a child often struggle to figure out what feels right for them in terms of remembering their baby on his or her birthday. Some families have parties and bake cakes, some choose to barely acknowledge the day and think of it as a non-event, and others establish traditions that don't feel very birthday-like, yet are still a way to remember and honor their child as they continue to weave his or her presence into the tapestry of their family.

For us, it looked like an "I love Isaac" onesie on Eliana...


And a family picnic at the cemetery...



It looked like sending letters to heaven on the strings of blue balloons...




And a family hike at a place very special to us when I was pregnant with Isaac...
(although the hike plans got deterred because of a serious stink bug infestation!)





Thankfully, October 7th was a gorgeous day here in Maryland... the first after several days of heavy rains. And just a few short days later, God even painted us a beautiful rainbow :)

26 comments:

KK said...

What a beautiful day and a perfect way to celebrate Isaac. Little Eliana is getting so big!
:-) Such a cute family!

Devon said...

oh stace, you have been on my heart....looks like a perfect day to celebrate a perfect little boy. and that rainbow, beautiful!

thinking of you sweet friend.

SUSI said...

So glad that you guys found a perfect way to remember the special day that you met your beautiful Isaac. It really is so hard to figure out what to do on those days.

Love Ellie's onesie.

Momma said...

Love the onsie, thinking of you all.

Sara said...

I am sorry I missed Isaac's birthday. It looks like you had a nice celebration of his birth. I know how hard the birthdays are - November will be our angel's 3rd birthday. It never gets easy...

Jennifer said...

I love your post. Love Eliana's onesie and WOWZERS, could that sweetie-girl's eyes be any bigger? Beautiful testiment to your sweet little Isaac. He will not be forgotten here.

Alissa said...

What an amazing day....you honored Isaac perfectly. Eliana looks adorable in her onesie. Thank you for some ideas....Kennedy's one-year date will hit on the 22nd. ((hugs to you))

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful celebration for your precious boy. And Eliana is gorgeous!

Bridget said...

What a wonderful way to celebrate Isaac's 2nd birthday. You are a very special family.

www.kissesfromanangel.blogspot.com

Tiffany said...

Crying happy tears for you. What a wonderful way to celebrate his life, and the rainbow just makes it all the better!

Holly said...

A wonderful way to celebrate him.

Shannon said...

I love the way you celebrated his day. Happy birthday Isaac!

Nellie said...

Ohh, absolutely precious and perfect in every way! Your love, devotion and loss are inspirational.

Sarah said...

It sounds like a wonderful way to remember you sweet boy (and what a beautiful little girl you have!). I'm from North Carolina (right on the border of NC/VA---and I know ALL about the stink bug invasion!).
((hugs))
Sarah of ButterflyChic
www.sayrahterry.blogspot.com

Carly said...

What a great day to celebrate Isaac's birthday. Love Ellie's shirt!

Home Sweet Kolkman said...

What a beautiful tribute to your son on his second birthday. Today is the anniversary of the birth of my daughter, Elise, who was stillborn at 40wks for unknown reasons. We mourn her death on October 12th each year and celebrate her life on October 13th! She would be turning 3 this year. We are also thankful for the brief time we had with her and look forward to seeing her again one day! Blessings to you and your family. Love and Tears for Elise & Isaac!

FSD said...

I haven't commented in a while, but I continue to faithfully read your blog. What a beautiful way to celebrate Isaac's birthday. Everything you did was perfect and I know Isaac enjoyed his celebration. I especially loved the "I Love Isaac" onesie. Eliana will treasure these early memories and the many memories you'll continue to make as a family.

Kamaile said...

What an absolutley perfect day.

Brooke said...

So sweet. Looks like your little sweet family enjoyed your day remembering precious Isaac.

asplashofsunshine said...

Glad you celebrated the way YOU wanted to and enjoyed it as much as your heart could handle. Oh, and Ellie's little onesie is soooo precious!

Jenny said...

Oh wow!!! So glad the onesie fit her! Stacy, you honored him in such a perfect, perfect way. Thanks so much for sharing your precious moments with us. I love the rainbow... I totally feel like that was Isaac's way of smiling back at you guys and sharing the beauty of heaven with you.

Anonymous said...

What a special way to embrace Isaac's birthday. I love the "I love Isaac" onesie!

Education: Exploring Online Learning said...

beautiful.... we have close friends who lost their little boy at 9 days many years ago. they did a 21st birthday party for him recently. love and prayers.

The Knight Family said...

That is so sweet... Such a special way to remember your little Isaac.
Happy Birthday Isaac! I prayed for you guys last week.

Unknown said...

i prayed and prayed for you, spencer, issac and ellie, as we were in austin on oct. 7. i woke up and prayed. "lord give them comfort and joy and peace and...well, just give them the emotions that they need today."

i also spent time at my friend's house who doesn't know who Jesus is and i spent time at our son's grave.

that very morning my bible study leader here in MD alerted me via facebook to the fact that the third day/michael w. smith/max lucado "make a difference" tour was in austin that night. i went. and it was INCREDIBLE. truly life-changing. i prayed and wept, and thought about issac, and matthew, and many other things. i praised Jesus that night like i have never before praised Him. i lifted my hands to the sky and all!

life has been life...crazy, busy, and well, hard the last couple of weeks. i'm sorry i'm just now telling you about my experience with oct. 7. God moved in my heart on your little boy's birthday in a way i can't explain. and of course He also moved in so many others' hearts, too! thank you for your heart stacy. it is such a precious, vulnerable, and encouraging heart.
always praying for you guys!

and praying somehow we can meet one day! :)

LetterstoClaire said...

I found your blog shortly after my daughter past away and then lost it when trying to figure out how to operate my new computer- I'm so glad I stumbled upon it again! This was the post that touched me the most. Claire was my first and only child and I struggle with the fear that I won't be able to do enough to keep her memory alive for her future brothers and sisters since they will never have a chance to meet her. The picture of your daughter wearing your son's name, it just gives me such overwhelming joy. When she is an adult and looking back at her baby pictures- she will see this one and remember her brother. She'll remember all the birthdays that you celebrate and she'll love him as you do. I feel more at peace with the decision to continue to have more children because I can love ALL my children and they can love each other too. Thank you!