Two “Little Strangers” came into my life with both the most extraordinary happiness, and the most grievous sadness, imaginable.
They are James and Jake, two little identical baby-angels who came into this world, and who left this world, on February 26, 2008.
And though I never saw them with my eyes, or kissed their tiny hands, James and Jake will live with me forever.
My journey with these baby-angels began with an email from James and Jake’s mom, Beth. In her email, Beth’s entry into our Virtual Baby Shower at Pinks & Blues, Beth’s words flowed with warmth and love for the identical twin boys she was carrying… and for her two older children, her husband, her mom and her family. I could feel the tapestry of their lives. I could see the colors and feel the beauty and delight. Words do that. Words are indeed lamps that light our paths… and Beth’s words were beacons of adventure and excitement and happiness for her young family and their little baby boys to come.
It used to be that women could sit on a front stoop and exchange words of some exciting news, ask advice, laugh at things that only women find amusing, or perhaps even commiserate about the vegetables that didn’t come up as good as expected, or exchange secrets that were guaranteed to be safe. Well, most of the time.
And there was a time when women spent hours on the phone talking about, oh, the same things I mentioned above.
But these women knew each other. They were friends, neighbors, sisters. Their conversations were both the laboratory and the workshop, working out things and ideas and sentiments that gently eased their days into nights, the days and nights into months and years. There was great comfort and camaraderie in these conversations.
Today, the stoop and the telephone have been replaced with the world wide web. Women still chat and exchange, but now with virtual strangers on things called “mommy blogs.” On these blogs, women exchange exciting news, laugh, commiserate and tell secrets. And I will emphasize, “laugh.” Women are funny. Women are fun. Women take the familiar of life and transform it to the remarkable. It’s what we do!
Friends are born on these blogs. And these friendships multiply joys. And this joy is what my daughters Audrey, Jane and I experience every day. Women being women sharing life with women. Just like our grandmothers on the stoop.
Virtual strangers whose words expand our own little universes while circling around us at the same time. So when I received the tragic news that Beth had lost her baby boys, my heart broke into a million pieces. I cried for Beth. I cried for the two little angel-babies who I knew only from the words of love from an extraordinary mommy.
So many of us cried.
Thousands of words of comfort and condolence and solace and prayer have flowed to Beth, her family, and her beautiful little boys.
Strangers in solidarity. Virtual friendships that hope to divide griefs.
James and Jake. Two Virtual Little Strangers who will live me, and with all of us, forever.
Two angel-babies who have changed our lives. Just the very reason I know them so well represents the infinite possibilities that life has to offer all of us.
I will think of James and Jake every day.
God bless them and their family.
Beautifully written, Sharon.
I’m sitting here sobbing reading this. I think my own heart is breaking into a million pieces – how must the parents feel? May God Bless them all and help them heal.
that was beautiful, Sharon. You are spot on in the fact that blogging connects us and helps us turn the mundane into something to celebrate.
I feel for this family and their terribgle loss. The excitement of a baby is unique and so is the greif and pain following a miscarriage. They are in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh, this was beautiful. Sweet James & Jake, and their brave precious Mama Beth have for sure touched more lives than they will ever know.
Steph
What great words. Women are truly amazing and we can draw so much from each other. I am heartbroken for Beth, her husband the whole family. I hope they can feel some comfort during this difficult time.
This is a lovely post, Sharon. I can’t imagine the grief that Beth is experiencing (and pray that I never will be in that position), but I’m sure that the encouragement, strength and sympathy she’s receiving from her virtual friends is making a difference. It’s amazing how women come together in so many different areas and platforms, anywhere life puts us together.
I read her blog from time to time and when I realized what had happened to her twin boys I couldn’t believe it. I called my real life friend to tell her all about it. It is very sad but this post really does put into perspective how real the virtual is to all of us.
thank you for writing this beautiful post. i sat and cried several times this week thinking about these two little boys, their mother, father and family. they are in my thoughts and prayers each day.
What beautiful words for a beautiful family. My heart has been so heavy for them. They will continue to be in my heart and prayers.
You are right about everything you said Sharon…everything.
My heart is with them too.
so true.
Beth is such a sweet person. I can’t even begin to imagine how she feels. How wonderful to honor jake and James and their mommy the way you did, thank you.
Jen
Your stoop comparison is so true. This is so warmly written.
Thanks for this post, it’s so lovely. I thank God every day for this incredible forum for love and support and friendship.
Peace,
`Arianne
Such an eloquent post. Well said.
Just so beautiful. Thank you, these beautifully written words warmed my heart more than you could ever imagine. It means so much that our little James and Jake will never be forgotten.
Thank you.