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
This Mother’s Day needed something special. We Hope Moms would face a holiday centered around what we are designed to be, but are without: our children, and the glory of motherhood in us.
One of the goals of Hope Mommies is to provide continued care in the months and years that follow miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. And one of the ways that we do that is to provide gifts – gifts that can encourage, something that says “We love you and know you’re hurting; you’re baby is not forgotten.”
Our gift for this Mother’s Day is the painting above. Phung is a dear friend and college roommate, and an incredibly talented artist. I had asked her to try to capture what it means to be a Hope Mom – a woman full of sorrow, full of hope. I can imagine that it’s nearly impossible to capture two deep, distinct emotions in one painting, but I believe she did just that — and beautifully!
Hope Mommies had twenty-two women on the list to receive the painting. Most of the women are being served through our Prayer Ministry, or they responded to the facebook group message we sent out. The prints, frames, and shipping supplies were all paid for by donations.
For those of you who donated or prayed for this gift, thank you for helping make it possible! I loved reading the women’s updates on facebook, and seeing how blessed they were to receive the painting. You made a difference in their Mother’s Day.
Erin Cushman is the founder of Hope Mommies. Erin is married to Blair and has three children: Gwendolyn, who has been with Jesus since October 20, 2010, Malacai, who is three, and Gemma, born in June 2015. She loves photography, gardening, cooking, reading, playing with her son, and loves especially when all those things combine.
Stacia Hamidi
May 13, 2011 (1:56 pm)
I just got my BEAUTIFUL painting in the mail today and am speechless — at least I was at the post office when I opened and started crying right there and then. I love it and feel so blessed and honored to have recieved one. Thanks so much Phung for your amazing work, Erin for coordinating, and all the wonderful donors! May God bless you as you have blessed me!