31 results for author: Erin Cushman

Father’s Day

by Holly Steele "It’s a boy!" were the words we heard for the second time on a beautiful March afternoon. I could see the huge smile on Ryan’s face without even looking at him. I am sure he was already day dreaming about all the sports they were going to be playing in the backyard and probably sizing up which of our boys would play pitcher or catcher. Those hope and dreams that my husband, Ryan had for our littlest never came true. However, words can’t explain how proud he was of Landry that he fought and held on as long as he did. He wanted to show him off to the world…. He just ran out of time. When Ryan and I said I do on July 2, 2005 ...

The Honest Truth

by Melissa HeereboutI am sitting here writing this on Mother’s Day Eve. My 3 kids are in bed and my husband is working late. Tomorrow will be my fourth Mother’s Day without my son Izaak. Tonight I sit on my couch trying to catch my breath from the messy tears I’ve been crying. It has been 1187 days since I held Izaak in my arms. And I’m still surprised at how fresh that pain can feel in certain moments. I had another blog written and ready to go. It was about being Warrior. Tonight my arms long for my son and being a warrior in this battle feels difficult. So I thought maybe my frankness might be better suited for this post. I am so ...

THAT time of year

by Chelsea JacobsIt's that time of year again. The time of year when every commercial is painted in pinks and yellows and shares great gift ideas for moms. The time of year when preschools everywhere invest in finger paint and glitter glue as crafts are carefully created for mothers. The time of year when churches stop services to acknowledge the love of mothers, perhaps giving each one a rose to say thank you. The time of year when, for many women, they are honored and celebrated and find joy in the blessings of motherhood. But, it's also the time of year when the pain of infertility can run so deep, you want to run and hide. It's the ...

Reflections

This is from a Hope Mom's personal blog, www.ourblessedhope.blogspot.com, about the Hope Mommies retreat that took place February 1-3, 2013. (more…)

The Things We Say

A month or so ago I had an insightful conversation with a good friend about the things people say accidentally, and usually very innocently, that hurt our feelings. I remember after my daughter fell asleep that the phrases, "took my breath away", "you're killing me!" and other such (ridiculous) innocent collections of words pierced me every time. At times it was difficult to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out, "Of course it's not killing you!" When discussing this with my friend, who has had deep wounds but of a different nature, it has made me wonder how often I have innocently phrased things that have hurt those around me. Do I joke or ...

Spilling over

Another Hope Mom and I were recently discussing how our losses have affected our love for our other children. After her son went to Jesus, someone had comforted her with the words that her heart had expanded to love three children, and with one of them in Heaven, the other two would be experiencing a little extra love that many children don't receive. She reflected to me how accurate that word had become to her, and that her love for her son in Heaven had now overflowed onto her other kids. Her love for him was not stifled, stopped, or locked away in a memory box. It is a live, participating love that enables her to relish the smiles and joys of her ...

Give Hope

As the holiday season quickly approaches, we at Hope Mommies recognize this time is very difficult for Hope Mom’s and families. As we anticipate the holidays, we remember that we celebrate the Hope of Christ above all throughout this season. It is that hope that daily strengthens and daily allows for peace. This year we want to make this season about spreading the Hope of Christ to others. It is too easy to allow ourselves to wallow in our grief and want to be served. But what if we bless others by GIVING and proclaim the Hope of Christ this season louder than our grief! (more…)

Birthdays

At the beginning of each month, I update our Hope Babies Calendar for the website so it will accurately reflect how old our children are if you click on their name. (more…)

The Gift

The woman is kneeling, offering up her tears and sorrow to God. Her tears flow to the ground, watering the tree of life which yields a single blossom above her, representing growth, beauty, and hope. The sunrise represents God, full of Light, shining on her and shattering the dark of night, bringing forth a new day full of hope. Phung Ngo Martin, Artist                   (more…)

Psalm 62:8

Trust in Him at all times, O peoples; pour out your heart to Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 (more…)