Beyond Words {giveaway}
I consider myself one of those people who doesn’t always know what to say. This is why I love to write. Writing allows you time to think and formulate and perfect. Having words on the spot requires much more instinct. And guts. . .it takes lots of guts to open your mouth, let the words fly and hope you are saying the right thing. The good thing about me though, is when I don’t know what to say, I usually just say, “I’m so sorry” or I keep my mouth shut. I suppose this is a talent I gained after enduring several losses and cringing at the thought of some unknowing person thinking they know and in turn telling me what I should know to be true about my situation.
“God has other plans.”
“Maybe you should adopt.”
“If you will just relax. It will happen.”
The loved ones that truly brought healing were those who thought, beyond words, to reach out to my broken heart. Sitting by my side. Crying with me. Bringing a meal over so I didn’t have to cook. Holding my hand even though I clenched theirs so hard it hurt.
When someone is hurting, this is the outpouring they remember. Not the cliches and recited prayers. We need to go beyond words to meet the needs of grieving hearts. Because there is a holiness in tears and touch that can get lost in words that flow out of the human heart.
I have the great privilege to introduce our readers this week to an amazing artist and mother, Stephanie with Beyond Words Designs. You can read more about Stephanie’s story and the loss of her baby girl here. As a tribute to her daughter, Stephanie created Beyond Words Designs where she creates art that celebrates life. I met Stephanie at Blissdom this past February. We were sitting at a table together during one of the sessions. I overheard her sharing part of her story and I knew I was to meet her afterward. While many other attendees made their way to chat with the speaker, I knew I needed to and wanted to meet this woman who endured such loss (from what I could hear) yet emulated peace and joy.
I know there are several mothers in our community who have suffered loss through infant death, stillbirth, miscarriage and infertility. I know the pieces in the Beyond Words collection will speak to you. But this art is not only about loss. It’s about life. So no matter what your story, there is something beautiful for you in these pieces.
We have the great honor this week of giving away a $50 shop credit to Beyond Words Designs! Enter below for your chance to choose your favorite item in Stephanie’s store. You may choose something to honor a loss or if you are currently expecting there are beautiful images portraying life to celebrate your pregnancy.
We’d love to hear from you. . .what acts that went beyond words meant the most to you when you were walking through a difficult time?
Her work is incredible! It manages to represent love, life, loss, and hope all at once, which is exactly what us loss moms feel. Sometimes people forget about the life, beauty, and hope that our children still represent to us!
Jacqueline that is so true. That is why I love Stephanie’s images. They are a reminder that we need to celebrate those lives! Thanks for stopping by.
I LOVE the “Hope Cuff”
Me too Shannon. My daughter’s name is Hope which makes me even more drawn to it! : ) Good to meet you here today!!
During the week my son was in the NICU, our good friends became the point people for organizing meals and getting information out. They even arranged for people to bring meals to the hospital after I was discharged so that we wouldn’t have to keep paying for cafeteria meals! My husband and I can’t even begin to describe how much their practical care meant (and still means) to us.
What a wonderful idea they had Joan to continue to bring meals to the hospital. I can’t imagine the stress that comes with caring for a baby in the NICU. How wonderful to have friends who understood your needs! Thanks for sharing!!
Love this necklace! And you have some really great advice for what to do when people are hurting.
Rochelle recently posted..Revenge of the Ute
Thanks Rochelle. So great to meet you here today!!
My favorite piece of Stephanie’s is the Sterling Silver necklace Starry Starry Night & Gone to Soon is my 2nd favorite!! I love all of her pieces!!
They are all lovely Carrie! Great to have you here today. Blessings!!
Oh yay I’m so glad that you and Stephanie teamed up! I’ve been following Stephanie’s blog since my daughter’s stillbirth this past November, and started following this blog when we became pregnant with our rainbow in February. Love both!
Beth recently posted..A Piece of the Wrong Puzzle: On Fitting In & Faith
Thank you Beth. So wonderful to have you in the community. I am praying for your sweet rainbow baby!! Blessings to you!
I REALLY love the hope or patience pregnancy keepsake necklace, as well as the prints!
Stephanie donates art cards for my care packages I make to honor my son Matthew, that was stillborn November 17, 2011. Her art work is absolutely beautiful, and I would love one of her necklaces!!
Beautiful creations and what an amazing way to find some peace & healing. I love the Gone Too Soon print, gorgeous!
This is some really beautiful work! I love it.
In the weeks following the loss of my twin boys in December, a friend called every day to check in. If I felt up to answering the phone, we talked and cried together. If not, she left a message to let me know she was thinking of me, my husband and our boys. The most meaningful thing she has done is to continue to talk about Wren and Noah. She never hesitates to say their names…it makes me smile every time…
Stephanie and Beyond Words Designs is one of the first people I found in the baby loss community. She gave me hope that not only was survival possible, living was possible again after our loss. I think the work she does is amazing and must have such an impact on mamas who have lost their baby or babies. All her work is beautiful and inspiring but the ones that speak to me most are “Finding Balance” and “Starry Starry Night.”
When I lost my daughter Naomi at 18 weeks, one of my friends gave me a journal so I could record my journey. Since I process my thoughts by writing, this gift went “beyond words” into my heart, and the journal entries from that time are precious to me today.