Comments on: The letter no daughter wants to write

By: Andrea Olsen

Andrea Olsen — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:12:58 +0000

Lisa-Jo . . . I am a first time reader and this piece has left me undone. The beauty, the questions – “How did you bear the leaving?”, the distilled wisdom, all converged to open a door to a room in my heart that I thought no longer held pain. I was 27, she was 49, when my sweet mama died. I am now 54 and that date is “fast approaching when MY mom will have been gone for the exact same number of years of my life she was alive.”
So good to know that each time some residue of pain or sorrow surfaces that I can release that to Jesus and receive more healing, more peace.
Thank you for sharing this, dear one.

By: Kamille

Kamille — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:21:01 +0000

This is a beautiful letter with me misty-eyed and heart full. I’m so thankful for God’s grace & mercy in your life. He’s truly carried you and I can read it in your writing. I’m thankful to see women like you who have been through tremendous heartache & come out on the other side clinging to redemption’s pie. You’re a beautiful women! And I want to give you a big hug at Relevant this year:)

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 06:45:46 +0000

Lisa-Jo….I have no idea if you’ll even read what I’m about to say because I’m reading a post from quite awhile back. But I feel compelled to write it nevertheless. I was just 22 when my mother died. And so I, too, have lived my life without the guidance of a mother. My mother was just 50 when she died. And in reading your blog I realize I am your mother’s age. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that who you are now was shaped by the fact that you didn’t have a mother, just as that is for me. And I have no doubt that could she know you now, your mother’s pride in you would know no bounds. Absolutely.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:26:04 +0000

Lisa-Jo, I just ran across this post for the first time. I guess I’m writing to say I understand. My mom died very unexpectedly when I was 20. Now, with my first baby girl nearly 10 months old, I’d love more than anything to know her as you said, “mom to mom.” But God is good and His timing is right. I’m sorry that you have sadness too, but it’s good to know someone understands.

By: Lorna

Lorna — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 00:18:59 +0000

dear Lisa -Jo
for the first time in my 67 years someone who understands the misery of no mum.My mum and dad adopted me and loved me but God took them from me when I was 17 they died 10 months apart .I have grieved for them ever since, even though I am married to a wonderful guy and have 3 grown sons and 4 grandchildren . The pain never dies. So thank you for sharing and showing me that there are others to share with. Many blessings to you andyour lovely family.
Lorna

By: Abby

Abby — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 20:10:47 +0000

I hope you read this Lisa-Jo. I’m writing it long after you posted it and I got to know you via here and (in) courage.

You remind me that I had 28 years with my mom, through you and others I remember that that is much more than some…

I love your sharing about your kids…I need to write the letter…I’m afraid the tears will never stop though…

I relate to the change in your Dad since your mom’s going…it is apparent that my Dad was called to my step mom and to give his love in a way she nor her family never received it…it is a great mystery and we cannot do the ‘what-if’s’ where we live now because we miss so much of what God is doing by not opening our hearts to embrace that…like you do…and by His grace, as I do…

as I say this, I just had another of those dreams that Mom is alive and well…oh my, when they first came, it was like she didn’t really die but Dad was re-married…they are hard dreams

butterflies. it is a type of symbol that God (and mom) seem to send my way just when I need it–to remind me I am seen and known fully and how beautifully my mom began that process in the way she loved me…

I already liked you so, and then I find when I read this that you have walked this journey…

hope you get to read this, but praying for you nonetheless:)

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:35:05 +0000

I’m so glad that you reposted this and that I ran across it. I want you to know that your writing and processing of all that your mom was, is and will be in your life is a blessing to me. Having lost my own mom over half a lifetime ago I can relate. It aches, but it is in that aching that we find just what you said. We find that it is in the wake of all that she (our moms) was in our lives that we have become all that God has made us; wives, mothers, sisters, friends. It is such a surreal place to look back and see that it is the very absence of our moms that have been the foundation for God’s immense blessing and chiseling in our lives. You push me to see that. Your writing pushes me to say with intensity that it is well. I’m blessed.

By: sl

sl — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:34:28 +0000

I love this post. My Dad dies when I was 7. It has been 50 years this year. Oh, how I miss him in my lfe. As myy mother got to know him she said my husband has many qualities like my Dad. My Mom has been gone for 20 years. How I wish I had her knowledge and widson as I raised my daughter. My thoughts of them are nevr far away. Their spirits are with me. I know I will meet them again one day.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:01:29 +0000

Just found your blog through the links on the upcoming Compassion bloggers trip. I’ve been missing my mom a lot lately and appreciated reading your letter. The years seem to fly by most of the time, but then sometimes it feels like just yesterday I was sitting in the ER and they came to tell us she was gone.
Thanks for sharing your heart through making this letter public on your blog.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:48:36 +0000

Lisa-Jo, wow- what a beautiful letter to *your* mama. It brought tears to my eyes. I’m so proud of you and know she would be as well! Happy writing, friend!