Dear Mom and Dad,
Hi, it's me. I know you both have been having a hard time lately with everything that has been going on with my younger siblings. Three significant diagnoses in eight months, Auto-Immune Liver Disease, Diabetes Type I and Ewing's Sarcoma (bone cancer) are an awful lot to handle. For the last almost eighteen years, since early Jan. 1991 in fact, I've been your greatest champion interceding for you every chance I get. I remember so vividly the day you learned I was with you and how excited you both were. I also remember the day you were at the elementary school, Mom. You were an Instructional Assistant and one of the kids in your class, under your supervision on the playground, fell and broke his collar bone. Although his parents were so nice in reassuring you that it was not your fault, you were beside yourself with grief and came home exhausted, feeling the shock of your day consume you. A few days later you and Dad went in for your very first ultrasound, only to find that something had gone terribly wrong with me, your first child. I know how grief stricken you were and I asked Jesus to bless you very soon and he sent my younger brother John Matthew to you in an amazingly short amount of time. Remember the doctors Mom? They couldn't believe you had conceived again so quickly. Isn't God so good? I love you both and all my siblings and family whom I pray I will meet one day. Everyone that has arrived so far is awesome! I've got to go right now, I know someone else is waiting in the wings and has something to say.
Love,
Peter Augustine
Dear Mommy and Daddy,
Peter is taking such good care of me. I was so happy to see him when I arrived in heaven on March 30, 2007. I've been talking to Jesus every day Mommy. I love my big brothers and sisters so much, and I know their suffering has a purpose. I know how excited you were Mommy when you found out you were expecting another child, and how you felt in your heart, right away, that I was a girl! I remember how you kept me a secret from everyone but Daddy for the entire first trimester, pondering me beneath your heart. Lovingly imagining my physical features, the interactions with my siblings and holding me in your arms. I also remember how sad you were when you started to lose me, how you cried in such pain and agony and asked God why, just when you accepted me fully and was prepared to tell the world, that you had to let go of me. I remember that my arrival in heaven was the same day as you were to direct the youth choir for The Stations of the Cross for the very first time. I remember how Daddy so quickly stepped in for you as you were physically unable to meet your obligation. I remember how Aunt Amy stayed on the phone with you while Daddy was gone and how Big Sissy Reagan played with the other kids and wouldn't let them bother you until Daddy and Johnny could get back home. By letting me go Mommy, you did your job, you got me to heaven. I know it wasn't the way you planned, and I miss you and Daddy and everyone so much, but I'm so happy with Jesus, Mommy. He loves me so much. I'm praying for you all every day.
Love,
JoHannah Paulina
Dear Mommy and Daddy.
Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Gabriel Luke and I arrived in heaven last week, (Sept. 2008). I know that you have been so busy with trying to meet the needs of my three sick siblings, that you hadn't even realized yet that I was there. Mommy, I know you were shocked today to learn that you weren't just "getting older" with the normal age appropriate "female problems", but that your recent pain and suffering was the result of letting me too go to heaven. Peter and JoHannah welcomed me with open arms and then I got to meet all my family that arrived before me. I know you are confused Mommy. I've been listening in on your thoughts today. I know you are in shock too, I heard you say out loud, "I can't believe it. I just can't believe it." You and Daddy love each other so much, Mommy. So much that you decided long ago that you were going to deal with whatever God's plan for the two of you is, together, no matter what. Because you leave the size of your family up to God, you have and will continue to face scrutiny, disdain and even rebuke....that is all part of human nature, but I know Mommy, sometimes it is very hard to hear, especially when you already are trying to juggle so many emotions. Some people may say it is a blessing that you lost me, during this very intense and stressful time in your life. Being in heaven is the greatest blessing of all Mommy and I know in your heart, you accept that, but I also know that your heart aches for me anyway because I am your child. I want you to know that I will be talking to God everyday about sending you His tender mercies. I wish everyone could learn to swim in the Divine Mercy that flows from heaven. I'm so happy to be here with Peter and JoHanna. Heaven is a beautiful place to be if you can't be with your family. Thanks for being my only home on earth Mommy, and thanks Daddy for taking care of everyone so well. Thank-you both for continuing to desire to say in your heart, "Jesus, I Trust in You."
Love,
Gabriel Luke
P.S. My name was chosen by my Mom because she will always think of me as an angel of mercy. Gabriel is the angel that brought news of Christ's conception to Mary and the book of Luke is often called the Gospel of Mercy.
Mary Kidd Flemming blogs for The Handmaids of Mercy , The Splendor of Truth and The Compass Rose (Parenting and Family Life Issues). You may also enjoy her husband's website: Crossroads Family Center The Flemming Family is facing the greatest challenge of their lives as three of their six kids have health issues and were all diagnosed within an eighth month period. The children's illnesses include: Auto-Immune Liver Disease, Type I Diabetes (insulin dependent), and Ewing's Sarcoma (a form of bone cancer). This has been an incredible journey of faith for the Flemming Family. While they don't fully understand why any of this happened to their children, they place their trust and faith totally in God's goodness. By sharing their faith journey, their hope is that other people will be drawn closer to The Holy Trinity (The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit). It is Mary's great hope that the sufferings of her children and family will be received by God for the conversion of souls. JESUS, WE TRUST in YOU!
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