Time.
It is all I ever think about these days. I think about how old she was, how old she would have been. I think about how many days, weeks, months it has been. How many more days until it will be 6 months since she has been gone. How much longer I will have to wait to hold her again.... It is just so hard to grasp.
The very wise man, Neal Maxwell said,
"...time is clearly not our natural dimension. Thus it is that we are never really at home in time. Alternately, we find ourselves impatiently wishing to hasten the passage of time or to hold back the dawn. We can do neither, of course. Whereas the bird is at home in the air, we are clearly not at home in time—because we belong to eternity! Time, as much as any one thing, whispers to us that we are strangers here. If time were natural to us, why is it that we have so many clocks and wear wristwatches?"
Those crazy waves of grief that I talked about before...sometimes consume and take me over. The feeling of panic and despair are almost too much to handle. I think that death is so hard to understand because of the separation, and it hard to fathom that it is only temporary.
It is in those moments that the Lord whispers to me to remember. Remember the plan. Remember we are an eternal family. Remember, she is mine, and she will always be mine. Remember, that even though I cannot see her with my eyes, she is here with us.
I try to grasp eternity. I try to imagine, a limitless amount of time that I get with my family. I think about what a small amount of time, this life here must be in comparison with the life we have ahead of us. It makes this trial seem do-able.
As much as I wish to hasten the time, I cannot.
But, I have an eternity to look forward to.
It is all I ever think about these days. I think about how old she was, how old she would have been. I think about how many days, weeks, months it has been. How many more days until it will be 6 months since she has been gone. How much longer I will have to wait to hold her again.... It is just so hard to grasp.
The very wise man, Neal Maxwell said,
"...time is clearly not our natural dimension. Thus it is that we are never really at home in time. Alternately, we find ourselves impatiently wishing to hasten the passage of time or to hold back the dawn. We can do neither, of course. Whereas the bird is at home in the air, we are clearly not at home in time—because we belong to eternity! Time, as much as any one thing, whispers to us that we are strangers here. If time were natural to us, why is it that we have so many clocks and wear wristwatches?"
Those crazy waves of grief that I talked about before...sometimes consume and take me over. The feeling of panic and despair are almost too much to handle. I think that death is so hard to understand because of the separation, and it hard to fathom that it is only temporary.
It is in those moments that the Lord whispers to me to remember. Remember the plan. Remember we are an eternal family. Remember, she is mine, and she will always be mine. Remember, that even though I cannot see her with my eyes, she is here with us.
I try to grasp eternity. I try to imagine, a limitless amount of time that I get with my family. I think about what a small amount of time, this life here must be in comparison with the life we have ahead of us. It makes this trial seem do-able.
As much as I wish to hasten the time, I cannot.
But, I have an eternity to look forward to.

28 comments:
Beautiful thoughts that can be applied to so many trials and experiences. Thank you for sharing your struggles and helping me keep the true eternal perspective.
Carli
I don't know if I can describe this in a way that will make sense but when I read the part about you trying to imagine a limitless amount of time you will be able to spend with your family I was filled with a feeling of joy. Like I had the smallest glimpse in to the joy you will experience being able to be with your Ruby forever. I can't comprehend eternity either but I am so grateful you (and all of us) have it to look forward to and get you through the overwhelming moments of despair.
Tears, love and prayers dear Ani!
Sarah
On earth, you're suffering but in heaven you'll be the honored one because there is no certainty we'll be able to have children in heaven. You'll have your sweet baby girl to hold and pass around to all the other mothers whos children have grown.
i love this, i love when you post because i lost my baby crew around the same time and i am going through the same feelings. you always say things just how they are and i love that, i can relate to that. so thankful for our knowledge and knowing the plan, we will get to hold them again.
What beautiful sentiments. That quote from Neal Maxwell is so wonderful. I think we all need to think about that.
Thank you for posting this.
Oh wow! Thanks for sharing that quote, it is so true...I am always wishing I could stop or freeze time so my little ones can stay little forever....time seems like an enemy to most a burden to others and a gift to some. I hope you continue to heal...praying for you and your family always!
I love the quote Ani! I will hold onto it. Thanks for sharing it.
beautifully written! kate & ruby are so lucky to have you as their mama!
What a lovely and powerful testimony you have. A lifetime of building a strong character based in the gospel is truly shining through. Thank you for your willingness to share these things.
My prayers will continually be with you and your family...my heart aches(literally) for yours. There is nothing that i can say that will help fill the gap you feel, but I do send ALL my love your way and know that Heavenly Father LOVES you.
Sometimes when I'm praying to our Father in heaven I don't want to finish, because i am surrounded by His embrace, and love feeling His presence...I am especially feeling this way for you and your family right now.
From one mommy to another mommy, I will be strive to e a better one thanks to your Ruby! Xoxoxoxo
I love that quote, I am also LDS and miss my parents dearly, the died at 66 and 58. I have had there work done and felt them in the session! Take care! And thank you for all those you give hope to!
I pray for your family. You have done so much good since Ruby passed away, I honestly don't know how you do it. From saving lives, saving relationships and bringing families together - making me a better Mommy. Ruby is a HERO. That's pretty much Amazing..I will continue to think of you all and pray that you will find peace in comfort knowing you will all be together one day. But, yes 5 months is too long - and it makes me so sad. My heart will continue to ache for you and your family so much. I wish you didn't have to hurt & I could take all your pain away. Ruby was so loved and lucky to have you guys as her family. Sweet Sweet Tender Love. xo
I have read your blog for quite a while and this is my first time ever commenting but I just wanted to let you know that I felt the spirit so strongly when I read your post. I feel the same way about time, it's just so unnatural, time. I love that quote by Neal A. Maxwell, I had never heard it before but it rings so true! Thank you for being who you are and for sharing it.
I've been following your blog for awhile. I am so inspired by you and your Ruby! I always assumed because I had checked the Yes on my drivers license that I was an organ donor. But I just signed up on my states website. I would love to share the gift of life to someone in need if the opportunity arose. Thank you for your blog! Because of your Ruby I truly cherish my role as a mother.
I've been reading all your posts back from Last August when your sweet baby ruby passed. I just wanted you to know that im thinking about your family and It must be so so overwhelming to have lost a child. All I know is that I know without a doubt that she is with our loving Heavenly Father and looking over your beautiful family each and every day! She is such a beautiful baby, and so incredibly lucky and blessed to have you as a mom.Your posts are so inspirational and even though it is such a sad thing that happened, its so amazing how many people Rubys story is changing around the world!
I agree with you, that sometimes its hard to look at the big picture on earth...that its such a short amount of time compared to eternity! Stay strong, hold on to that amazing plan He has given us.
yet again. inspired today by a complete stranger far away. We do indeed have a an eternal plan of happiness, that is infinite and all encompassing. my prayers go out to you and your family. So sorry for your trial. best wishes.
thinking about you and your sweet daughter.
http://jacksonparkcity.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-your-daughter-dies.html
Ani, I pray for your sweet family. Some babies get to stay for far too little time. My daughter has liver disease also. It's never easy. My hope for you is that each passing day will bring you a greater measure of peace and the knowledge that Ruby is still helping many of us. As my daughter approaches adulthood she wants to know why she has to be so careful. She and I read about Ruby together, and she finally understands how blessed she is to be alive and doing well. Thank you!
This morning I came across the same post that Carley just shared. I immediately thought of you. I think it puts into words a lot of things that no one knows how to say. I hope it speaks to you. Sending much love your way.
My heart breaks for you, I know it is no comfort, but I wish there was some way that your pain and longing could be assuaged even for a few moments. You have such beautiful daughters and I love to hear you talk about them because your words are so filled with love.
This past Sunday I hosted a baby shower for my sister. It was a joyous occasion, yet there were still tears.
See, I bought a handmade baby quilt from a woman who donated it to the online auction for Ruby. I bought it so long ago before I knew my sister was having a baby girl. I kept it folded up in the closet and finally Sunday I draped the coffee table with this beautiful quilt. Everyone at the shower kept asking where it had come from or who made it. So after all of the gifts were opened I stood to tell the story. The story of Ruby that I knew from this blog. The story of the quilt and who made it and why she donated it. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. I told them all that if they ever wanted to see Ruby she's on my fridge!
Just telling her story was hard for me, a stranger to do. So I can only imagine what it's like to live it as her mommy, her daddy, or her big sister. Just know that Ruby is with you. She brings you comfort, she brings you joy. And she's waiting with Him for your time in Heaven!
Hope you're doing well.
Royal in Kansas
Hi there. I'm a good friend of Mindy Gledhill. I am sorry for your loss. As a mother, my heart aches for your heart. May you find peace in the arms of your family.
Please allow me to introduce you to Natalie. http://natalienortonblog.com/
My prayer is that in some way, her journey might help you.
I miss you Ani.
I have been thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and hugs your way for the past month. Yesterday (Feb 12th) was my Mary's first birthday, yet while I enjoyed day in my family, I was thinking about how you may be hurting on yet another month passed.
Sending you prayers, peace and love.
Love and miss you Ani. Sending prayers for peace and joy for you, Matt, and miss Kate. Loves.
I am in tears. I stumbled across your blog from a pintrest link and i had to leave a note letting you know you and your family will now be one in which i lift up in prayer from time to time. as a mom of 2 little boys (one just turned 6months the other 4yrs) i can Only Imagine the journey you have and are -on. i had a close friend lose a baby son a cpl yrs ago- and such as yourself/ruby jane -his life -his story- their story- remains a BLESSING -and Eternal Blessing to SO many- countless numbers of people -some who like yourself-they will never meet. so thank you for be a blessing through your pain to so many others who have walked through an unimaginable loss -to be a spark of light in dark times -to carry your daughter's life through your own to continue to help and bless the lives of others you'll meet in heaven one day. I pray God continues to wrap his hands around you and your family and blesses you with love & strength & peace beyond your own understanding.
Sommer
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