This Christmas was so different, it was our first without our daughter Mira (actually, Mira was not yet here with us last Christmas, and she was only born last July 7, 2012… but you know what I mean!)
This year, when we look at a Christmas Belen and see baby Jesus, I can’t help but remember everything that has happened with our own baby, and try with all my strength to keep tears from rolling down my face.
This was also our first time to be at a memorial park on Christmas day. Did you know that the place is so alive on this day?! There were so many people there, spending time with dearly departed loved ones. I never knew that, now I know.
Imagine what God could have felt
I can imagine how God could have felt when he sent his only begotten Son down on Earth to save Humanity, to save us. After all, God is a parent too you know! As my wife Cherry said in a facebook status:
“Christmas is about God’s love for us – so great that He gave His only Son. If you are a parent, just imagine allowing your child to suffer and die. Imagine it! Only someone with great love can do that.”
The ultimate birthday party in Heaven
Sorry, I do not want to dampen any of your Holiday spirits, so let me end this on a positive note. Honestly, I envy Mira because I have a feeling she had a great time spending Christmas at the ultimate birthday party in Heaven, with no other than the Celebrant Himself, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Now that’s something awesome right?!
Although it has been a tearful Christmas day for me, I still can’t help but smile just imagining my daughter with Jesus on His birthday. With that thought, I can say I made it through Christmas day!
Wishing you all had a most blessed Christmas!
~ from Jay, Cherry, CJ, with our angel Mira
Hi Jay, the book Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo helped us so much when we also faced the passing of a family member last year. Perhaps, you can read it.
Hi I,
A friend suggested that book as well, so I bought it and read it sometime July or August I think, very early days from our daughter’s death. Made me cry buckets but made me feel better at the same time. I do believe she is happy in heaven. Not a day passes by when I don’t think of her. I imagine how pretty she must be. I pray too for peace for you and your family. These events are simply beyond our understanding.
Best regards,
Cherry
Hi I, thanks for the suggestion. We have a copy here, but I have not yet read the whole book because I always end up crying. I just asked my wife Cherry to tell me the story of Colton and how he met his sister in heaven, just makes me cry each time…
The book gives me hope and something to look forward to at the end of my own life, when I can actually meet and talk to Mira and give her the biggest hug ever, but I guess that will have to wait, I believe God still has a mission for me here so I’ll do it first (like to be the best Dad to Mira’s brother CJ and the best husband to Cherry… etc etc) and I still have to do my best to go to heaven, so help me God…
Jay, Cherry, CJ:
Nasa panalanganin namin kayo dito sa Reno. I’m blessed to hear your testimony in the midst of this very hard event that happened to your family:
“I can imagine how God could have felt when he sent his only begotten Son down on Earth to save Humanity, to save us. ”
I’m glad our paths cross through the Open Letter. You have a beautiful family.
-ian
Thanks Ian. God bless.
Best regards,
Cherry, Jay, & CJ
Hi Ian, thank you for dropping by here and for the comforting words, really appreciate it. Yes, I’m also glad we met online, actually I was the one who showed your open letter to my wife Cherry, I’m a regular reader of biggerpockets.com… hehe! Happy New Year to you, and your family there in Reno, wishing you all the best this 2013!
Hi Jay,
Merry Christmas to you and your family. You have a baby angel looking over her strong and loving daddy and mommy from up there. Stay strong, all is well.
Hi Ms. Jones! Thank you so much, so nice to see you here! Enjoy the rest of the season, God bless!
Dear Sir jay,Mam Cherry and CJ,
Wishing you all a blessed christmas and I say YES,you made it through Christmas day.Angel Mira is smiling down at you.
Hi Luz, thank you so much, you just made me smile! Wishing you and your family all the best!
Merry Christmas to you and the entire family Jay. I’m sure Mira is in a much better place now. Will surely include you, the entire family and Mira in my prayers.
Hi Liza, thank you so much! Enjoy the rest of the Christmas season, God bless you and your family!
Sir,
I know what you felt, you are not alone. We also have our little angel.
Merry Christmas sir Jay!
Hello Hermo, thank you so much for the words of comfort. Praying for you, your family, and your little angel too. Merry Christmas!
Hi Jay. Merry Christmas to you and Cherry. Thanks for sharing this. I felt so much for you and Cherry while reading your post. One because my youngest daughter’s name is also Mira (she’s now 13 years old); another also because I only knew now that your daughter joined Him last July. I believe that in her purity of soul, she is now the little angel always riding on your shoulders, and is always in your heart. I’m sure in her time on earth, she was glad that you gave her every fighting chance to live before God decided to bring her back to His heavenly home. I pray for you that you receive the genuine gifts of Christmas: The Spirit of Joy, Peace, Love & Hope to console and lift you, Cherry & your son.
Thank you so much Maita. Yes, that is what I keep telling myself, that we did just about everything humanly possible (at the very least, the best that can be done here in the Philippines at that time), and that we did put up a good fight, most especially my wife… Now you have made me cry again, but in a good way, thanks again Maita! May God Bless you and your family even more.
Merry Christmas to you & your family.
Thank you Anton, Merry Christmas to you and your family too!
wow! your li’l angel’s birthday was 3 days ahead of mine! (so many years later of course! :)) she must be an awesome Cancer too!
This Christmas may you & your family be comforted in the thought that your little one is now in a great place and is happy celebrating the holyiest occassion with the holyiest company around in heaven. And I’m pretty sure that even in her innocense, she’s wishing that you will be happy for her and assures you that both Jesus and she are looking out for you from above.
You are blessed! merry Christmas to you and your family…
Kind regards
Thanks a lot Marth for the very comforting words, we really appreciate it, Merry Christmas to you and your family! Stay blessed!
Happy new year Jay and to Atty.Cherry and your wonderful family!
May the 2013 brings good health, more joy and bountiful blessings to your family and to everyone.
May you continue to be kind to share with us your gift through this column as we continue to follow your journals, tips, information and stories. You are an inspiration somehow to be focused towards a better future especially for us who are destined to earn our living away from home.
I hope I will have the chance to meet you and Atty Cherry in one of my travels back home.
May God keeps you and your family in His care always. God bless us all…
Dear Sir Jay and Ma’am Cherry,
Merry Christmas to you and to your family!
I’ve almost cried reading your blog; but, I am also pretty sure that your daughter, Mira, is with Jesus Christ now. She has a great party in heaven together with Jesus, Mama Mary, and the heavenly angels.
Regards.
Hi Ms. Helen, thank you for dropping by. Merry Christmas!
You are so right, she is doing much better there – no more pain. It’s us here who need to navigate through that – but God is good and he is looking out for us too. 🙂 Kisses and hugs to you, Cherry, CJ and your little angel. Merry merry Christmas.
Hi Issa! Yup, Mira is in good hands. 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and your family too. By the way, congratulations for being one of the 2012 Lilian Scholarship winners in Canada!