Thursday, December 8, 2011

A Bitter-Sweet Day

Today is December 8 - a date that will forever remain one of the most bitter-sweet in my life.  On this date in 1985, my husband Darren and I gave birth to our precious identical twin boys, Nicholas & Benjamin.  They told me that natural twins are 1 in 100 births, and that identical twins were 1 in 1,000 births, but that sadly, our twins being identical and developing in the same sac occurs 1 in 10,000 births.   But what is worst, is that what happened to them occurred 1 in 1,000,000 births - since they were in the same sac, as they grew and got bigger, they tied themselves into a knot, and around Benjamin's neck.  They were stillborn.  That is why it is bitter-sweet.  While we got to see them, and hold them, and love them, we had to say good-bye far too quickly.  They had brown hair and brown eyes, they weighed 2 lbs. and 2 lbs. 3 oz.  They were perfect and beautiful, and loved.  We miss them SO much.  Our comfort came in knowing that they are in Heaven with the Lord.  In 2 Samuel 12, we read the story of when David's infant child died.  In verse 23, David reminds us that the child cannot come back to us, but we can go to be with the child (in Heaven).  This is our assurance that we will be together again - all because of what Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, did for us when He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins.  I am SO looking forward to seeing them again.

I am entering this card in the following challenges.

http://mymindseye.typepad.com/blog/2011/12/blog-challenge-30-card.html - #30 - Card
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-christmas-photomontage.html - Christmas Photomontage Inspiration
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-194-anything-goes.html - #194 Anything Goes
http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/mmm-week-27.html - Seasonal with Glitter

Thanks for stopping by today.  I sure didn't mean to bum anyone out with my story, it's just a part of who I am - and I wanted to share our story.  The twins were not the only babies we lost.  I've found, over the years, that it's fairly common for women to lose children, and I believe we go through these trials so that we can help one another and encourage one another when we do have suffering.  If you've lost a little one, my heart goes out to you today as well.  Remember them with a smile - they are in the arms of Jesus.

My Cup Runneth Over,

Karen

20 comments:

  1. Beautiful card!
    Many thanks for joining in the Cute Card Thursday Challenge this week!
    Have a fabulous, creative day, Debxx

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  2. Oh my goodness Karen, Im so sorry to hear about your terrible loss. I had no idea at all. Your card is really beautiful Karen. I hope you and your family are ok on this sad day. Big hugs to you all, Lee xx

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  3. Thank you for sharing your story, Karen. I personally have not lost a child, but I have friends who have, and it is such a blessing to have had them for a moment and now, be able to talk about them with love and joy. Blessings!

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  4. Hi Karen, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story with me! It did bring a smile to my face knowing your boys are in heaven with my daughter. They are all skipping down the streets of gold with Jesus. God is taking extra special care of our children until we get there to join them. =)
    Extra special Mommy hugs today!
    Sarah

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  5. I'm so sorry for your loss...It is said that time heals all wounds but when you lose a loved one--and I'm sure, in your case, two beautiful babies--I can only imagine that the wound just lays dormant until every year around this time.

    So glad for that blessed hope of seeing our loved ones again!

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  6. Gorgeous! Love the Fleur de Lis. Thanks for joining us at Cute Card Thursday!

    Have a great week.

    Julie

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  7. Oh Karen! Yes that was a bitter-sweet tragedy in your life. It is wonderful to know that we have the assurance that we will see our loved ones in heaven someday. That fact warms my heart and gives me joy. Thank you sooo much for sharing your story. And also, your card is GREAT.

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  8. Thank you for sharing your faith--my husband and I have struggled with infertility for 7 years and have had multiple miscarriages. It's nice to be reminded that God grants our righteous desires. Your card is absolutely stunning, by the way. :)

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  9. Dear Karen, thank you ever so much for your kind comment on my card. I had tears in my eyes when I read about your and your husband's loss. I can't even imagine how I would have felt in your situation.

    Now I've been browsing a bit and you seem to have a crafting style of your own, which I appreciate very much. I'd love to visit you again, but I will say this at once, my work takes much of my energy so there may be some time between my visits. Of course I'd like to be one of your followers.

    Take care, Outi xxx
    http://pappersgalen.blogspot.com/

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  10. So sorry for your heart breaking loss... I quietly shared your grief when I read this post.

    Your card is lovely.
    thank you for joining MMM
    Suzi B x

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  11. Hi Karen. I just popped over from Cupcake to say Hello and thanks for the lovely comment you left there. I'll stop by again later to see the undoubtedly fab paper you've made!
    Thanks also for sharing your story. As a Mum myself, I can only begin to imagine your pain, but i know it will never go away. xx

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  12. Karen.....your story about your boys is a touching one. I'm a mum to 3 boys and can only imagine that you miss them dearly. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. :)

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  13. Karen - I came to look at your WnW card but instead I found your very tragic story. It brings tear to my eyes to read it and I'm very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself - I appreciate the opportunity to get to know you a bit more. I hope each passing year brings some calm in your heart.

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  14. Karen - thank you for sharing your card and your story with us at Make My Monday, my thoughts are with you at this sad time - God Bless - Jacqueline xx

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  15. Thank you for linking up with MMM! :) So excited to see you there!!!

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  16. Giving you a great BIG hug, I'm so sorry for your experience. It's so strong to read and feel you, and it breaks my heart...
    Me too lost my little boy Eros, my firstborn child. Will miss him always, but will carry him in my heart forever.
    Take good care of eachother :)
    And Merry Christmas to you, may the holidays be filled with love and joy :)
    Hugs Lilli

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  17. Thanks for sharing your story, yes, a bitter-sweet tale, but I know it will help someone. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful card with us at MMM during our glitter week. May I wish you a loving Christmas. Caz

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  18. Really lovely card. So sorry to hear of your sad story and thinking of you at a difficult time.
    Thanks for joining in over at Make My Monday and hope to see you again.
    Fliss x

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  19. Oh Karen your post from the heart is so sad but lovely, life can be so cruel at times and you are an inspiration with your positive outlook :)

    Your card is beautiful, such lovely soft colours, a fab LO and I love the sparkle.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp for our photo inspiration challenge
    hugs Mandy xx

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  20. Fabulous creations...
    Thanks that you shared please visit my challenge blog at www.DigiDarla.com sometime. XXX~DigiDarla

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Thanks for your comments. They mean so much to me.