Libby Baker Sweiger

Celebration of Life Month: Shirley and Davey

I always wondered why my son David always had that angelic look of Heaven. Then he died at almost eleven months and I understood. This quote explains it so well:

“My Tom died as babies do, gently and without complaint. Because they have been such a little time with us, they seem to hold to life but weakly. I used to wonder if it was so because the memory of Heaven still lived within them, so that in leaving here they do not fear death as we do, who no longer know with certainty where it is our spirits go. This, I thought, must be the kindness that God does for them and for us, since He gives so many infants such a little while to bide with us.”
― Geraldine Brooks

Sometimes these days were unbearably hard for me. October was month my daughter Shirley Deborah was born: stillborn many years ago when I was twenty-two and the month Davey died when I was 24. But as time when by, it became easier and I think of it now as a Celebration of Life month. Yes, I think of them, but with the blessing of the Lord on my heart and on my head. I cry a little, but not the big sobs of many years ago. I have so many blessings in my life and things to be thankful for, my husband Mike and dear daughter Abby. I wish they had the chance to have known Davey, but I know we will be united in Heaven soon enough! This is the sure and constant hope of our Faith. And it is such an incredible comfort. There is so much sorrow in life, we humans cannot forget the anniversaries of tragedies or trauma, but we can lean on Him through them, get prayer, reach out, and get through. And we do.

My dear mom died this August and I know she is with them which is terrific comfort. I was thinking about the three of them today and it dawned on me I was having a rough day of grieving them all. Sometimes I’m a bit late in catching onto what I am going through. That’s why I blog. At least one reason…sharing marks the day…helps me remember them and honors them. I believe it helps others. Grief is real. It is painful. It is part of life. It also steers us to our sure and certain hope: Jesus who will help us through and dear friends who we can ask to pray us through these rougher days.

This gallery of pictures shows some of my blessings in this life and in Heaven. If you don’t see yourself, I’m writing this late and night and you know you’re in my heart. Love you all. Thank you for the richness and love you bring into my life!

Abby and I NOW! 🙂

Mike and I — A Dream Come True

Linda and I

Laura Lynn and I in June of 2010

Dad and I

Scott baby, Bill with present, Suzy, Me Mom and Dad all smiling 🙂

My 96 Yr Old Uncle Rog, the Inventor, Just Made His First Patented Prototype

Davey died 36 years ago this month…He’s with Jesus and we’ll see him someday

Davey and I (6 months)