what happens when our grief merges with God’s?
I’m writing over at Fathom Magazine this week! Fathom is a really great online magazine that seeks to “ask questions, express wonder, linger over ideas, listen to opinions, and hear people’s stories.” A quality place I’m delighted to partner with.
A short preview of the article:
“Momma!” Her two-year-old cry in the middle of the night was instantly recognizable. A stomach virus was making its way through the children. I was up and moving, tired and overwhelmed.
I knew from experience that Clara hated to throw up and would fight it. I braced myself for the battle. She burped, then swallowed to avoid the torrent. As the nausea increased, she violently pushed away the bowl while writhing, protesting, and crying in toddler anger. I forced her to stay in my lap and waited anxiously for the misery to be over. Eventually, the volcano erupted, and she finally relaxed. Spent from the battle as much as the sickness.
Three years later her fight was against a larger enemy than a virus. Cancer had formed and grown around her kidney, and the cure came by way of surgery, chemo, and radiation. Nausea became a near-constant companion, and true to her nature, she fought it. It was breath-catching to watch her pretty, young face close her eyes, breathe deep, and will her stomach to be quiet. I would also take a deep breath beside her, silently praying for peace, comfort, and any big fat calories to stick, stick, stick.
