341
On Sunday we watched as 341 balloons floated up to heaven.
That is how many days Cora was here with us.
What a blessing those days were.
341 days that were so full of purpose.
Cora's Playground dedication was horribly heartbreaking
and wonderful all at the same time.
Bittersweet.
I couldn't stop the tears as I desperately wanted Cora to be there with us.
But I was amazed once again by God's love and faithfulness.
We were surrounded by so many people.
Dear friends and family.
And some amazing new friends.
So supported and loved.
I am still trying to process it all.
I will share more soon.
posted by the mcclenahans @ 8:39 PM
59 Comments:
I am so sorry for you pain but continue to be amazed at your strength!! I am presenting you with one of my Honest Scrap Awards...please link to my Blog and partipate if you can! Love & prayers!
I am so so sorry for your pain but stand in awe of your strength and faith.
Many Many Blessings to all of you!
always in my prayers.
We keep you in our prayers everyday, but we were praying for you and Joel even more on Sunday. May God grant you peace.
I just can't seem to get your precious family out of my mind this past week...praying for you.
Cora's pictures remind me so much of my little one... please know that your family is in our prayers and that your faith is shown through your words.
can't say for sure how i found your blog....but we check in and pray for your family often. never knowing the right words i have hesitated to comment. we can't imagine your loss, but are amazed at your strength. an l&d nurse myself, i've been with families in such situations and your strength continues to amaze me. a true gift from god the 2 of you have been given. and what a lucky little girl to have called you mom and dad. and more so, a lucky little brother or sister for your sweet girl in heaven. may you always know that in all things he surrounds you with his love.
It was beautiful, Jess. Thanks for letting us be a part of that day. Praing for you....
((Hugs))
Cristy
Praying for you, what a sweet remembrance.
Always amazed by your strength and your faith.
Always praying.
What a lovely picture...you are always on my mind and in my heart. I hope that's not so strange.
I was thinking about you, Joel, and Cora all day Sunday. Your pain is still so raw but your strength and faith is amazing. Your family will continue to be in my prayers!
Summer in California
What a beautiful sight...all those balloons floating heavenward. I am sending my own balloon and a prayer your way. Blessings to you all. How you must miss sweet little Cora.
Fondly, Carrie
I am so sorry for your loss I couldn't imagine losing my children. You will see your angel again someday. She will not be forgotten. You have more faith than anyone i know. I drove by the church that day with all the people there and didn't even realize it until i saw the playground. I said a prayer for your family. I think about your family often. your story really touched me.
thought of you... i know it had to be so hard. my prayers and tears are still with you. can't wait to hear more about it. continue to find strength from the love of the Lord & the love of your family/friends (and us strangers out here in blog world).
it was so special to be there. i love that picture.
xx
Those balloons are gorgeous, Jess! Can you imagine the look on Cora's face? There's not a day that goes by that you and Joel aren't still in our thoughts and prayers. I don't know how many people I've told about Cora or the Playground or you two....you are thought of and loved by so many.
*hearts*
You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Jess,
How amazing. I am so sorry that the day was so very difficult, but I am glad you were surrounded by God's love and the support of so many people that care for you.
I really REALLY wish I could have been there myself. I look forward to hearing more about it and seeing great photos.
Take good care -
Tina
You were in my prayers on Sunday- I can't imagine how much it hurts.
Missing Cora with you. She is such a beautiful little girl.
You are so loved.
I was so grateful to be a part of your day. Grateful for the new knowledge of just how short 341 days are. Grateful that I know now how fast they can go by. And how to treat each day better. Soak each one in.
The dedication was perfect. There is so much hope in God!
How beautiful! Love the balloon colors. Praying for you all daily.
Thanks for posting. I was sure that would an extremely hard day. I think of you daily, you continue to inspire me. I am so sorry for your heartache. Always in my thoughts and prayers.
Kim
That had to be a very hard day. I'm glad you are surrounded by so much love. You and Cora are daily in my thoughts. I am hugging my children closer, thanks to you.
Can't imagine all the emotions flowing as you are pregnant right now ... as a pregnant one myself I know my emotions are so up and down ...
I am sure the inauguration of the playground was beautiful and yet so sad.
My prayers are with you and yours!
It is so easy for me to say how blessed you are to have gotten 341 days with one of the most perfect babies I have EVER laid eyes on, especially when I do not understand the pain, when I know how much you wanted those days to be years and decades. What I do know to be TRUTH is that your day will come when you will get infanite days with your precious angel. This time it will be on Golden streets and in the presence of Jesus! While that may take the edge off of your pain, it is still there. That is why I pray for you daily still.
I can only imagine what Cora saw as all of those balloons were released. I can see though, through all of this, that Cora's 341 days were SIGNIFICANT. she will always be REMEMBERED. And above all else, isn't it amazing that she KNOWS Jesus, even better than us!
Cora's life, ALL 341 days, was SIGNIFICANT, to more people than you will ever know. Thank you for choosing to Glorify God through all of this. Just remember that He does know your pain. Confide in Him, for His works are ALL good.
Bless you as you continue through your days, I pray that each day you feel our Lord carrying you through.
What a beautiful celebration of your sweet angel, Cora. The faith and strength that you and Joel have shown, and continue to show is amazing!
May God continue to bless your growing family.
With love and prayers,
XO*Tricia
It seems that your pain is more intense then ever right now. I am sending extra love to you and more prayers for peace and healing. Our daughters are so close in age and I often hug her extra tight with you, Joel and Cora in my heart as I do. Cora and her memory is really such a work of God she has blessed so many people with God's love and continues to do so and you and Joel as so wonderful at helping Cora share her mission, she couldn't do it without you and your love for her and God. Many blessing to you and sending my prayers for baby Mac as well.
oh my goodness...341. praying for you all.
No doubt Cora is thankful for 341 days of being wrapped in her parents love.
XOXO
it was a beautiful dedication. thanks for letting us share it with you:)
What a great picture, 341 balloons that meant more than anyone could say, Im sure.
I can only imagine the heartbreak and joy you were faced with on Sunday - cant wait to hear more about it.
Thinking and praying for you!
Again, tears and prayers for you and yours.
You are in my prayers. That picture is just beautiful.
what a sweet picture. and while your arms are empty, your heart is filled with her. she i am certain, was smiling from heaven.
what a picture of strength, faith and perserverence you are!!
blessings to you!
those balloons are such a wonderful picture of each lovely day you had with her...
I only wish you had more...
I am so sorry for your precious loss...
blessings,
Sarah
I am so sorry for the pain you continue to feel each day but am always amazed at you and your husband's strength.
Thank you for letting us be there.
Praying you continue to be blanketed in the Lord's comfort.
I'm so glad I got to meet you, too!
Prayers from SC!!
praising God you can honor her with a playground...
praying to God for you and yours while you tread through this hard time.
I love the sight of those balloons...how perfect to remember such a beautiful baby girl. Continuing to pray for you and sending you hugs for strength. Never a day goes by that I don't think of you....
Wow, what a beautiful sight. A very dear friend of mine passed away, and we continue to let balloons go on any special date, it is emotional yet good for the heart. It is just a beautiful hearbreaking thing. Praying for you! Your faith and strength continues to amaze me!
Preying for you ..
Jess the dedication was wonderful. It was so nice to meet you and Joel you both are wonderful and amazing people. I hope some day we can catch up again and share our stories more.
Love Courtney Mayfield
I bet it was beautiful.
My sweet little mother - daughter of Cora Lucile, granddaughter of Cora Belle - went home to glory at 9:09 the day you dedicated Cora Paige's playground. Mother's celebration service was yesterday. I lovingly wear my Cora earrings that I bought from Cynthia Garrett on etsy as support. Blessings on you.
Praying for God's peace, mercy, love and strength to rain down on you and to encourage you as you inspire others. Praying for you and your families. Just remember that "he who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it..." Hugs!
Glad that it all went well, it was bound to be a bittersweet day. You are both so strong...
Sue x
Love you lots! Miss you and wished we could have been there to hug you all! I wish you brighter days ahead....
AMIE
I am praying for you.
I just stumbled across your blog and wow, what a beautiful post.
Prayers for you from WA! You're an inspiration to so many. God bless your family.
Just admire you so...I am so glad for the playground, Cora's name will forever be remembered by all the little children who come an enjoy playing in her playground. Thank you again for sharing and will be praying as you digest all of these emotions..
Thanks for the little update. I am *trying* to wait patiently to hear and see how things went :). At the same time, though, I want you to take your time and share when you're ready.
I live in New Orleans, LA and came across your blog while searching for something to deal with sewing. I was immediately touched by your story and your strength. I've never left a comment on a blog, but wanted to let you know that people you don't know are praying for you and I was so happy to see you're expecting a baby. God Bless you and all your family.
What a beautiful picture. Cora is beautiful!
Please know my heart is breaking with yours. My husband and I lost our sweet Reese six weeks ago. She was two days old.
May GOD wrap you in His loving arms tonight.
Thinking of you and praying for you today.
I have been to your blog before...we have a lot in common. I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl 2 months before Cora was born. Caden died suddenly 2 days before she turned 8 months old. I was 3 days pregnat with her brother, who is now 3 months old. I have traveled through the grief and pain. I have mingled the joy of new life with the ache of loss. God writes amazing stories, even through the searing pain of loss He is to be praised...as you are doing. I pray your new little one brings you much joy. That baby soft skin, the tiny hands and the sweet breath of new life help to fan the flame of your hope. And oh, a hope we have. Heaven holds our babies safe until the day we can be together for eternity.
1 Thes. 4:16-18
To God be the glory
Cari
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