“Mommy, please don’tcry….there are no tears in heaven.” When I opened the package, and looked at the title the tears rolled down my face unchecked. My broken heart was fragile, and I felt very alone. Little did I know, that a friend 100 miles down the road, was holding me close in prayer and had this precious gift delivered to me. Her heart was equally fragile as she had also recently lost a child. This book had been gifted to her, and she honored me by sending a copy so that I could find the same comfort that she did.
This book, by Linda DeyMoz still sits on a shelf where I may walk by and see it every day. Now that our daughter is old enough to understand that she has siblings in Heaven, the story and illustrations are also some of her favorites. It is a treasure we will always hold close.
As I evaluated what I might contribute to “Her View from Home” as part of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, I thought I would take this book from my shelf and research to see if the writer would be willing to be interviewed and share her inspiration for this book.
Linda was easy to track down and responsive to my request. When she called me to “chat” it felt as if I have known her for years. Her warmth came through the phone lines, as quickly as it did through her writing. Her words touched me, and are powerful. In her own words, here is a little about what inspired this beautiful story.
After Mark and Linda lost their daughter “Ali” in 1995, Linda processe her grief through prayer and journaling. Those days didn’t offer many resources or counseling, so she did it on her own. As she looked at the heavens, she liked to imagine what Ali was doing, the friends she was meeting, and what she looked like. Those visions inspired her work with renowned artist Laurie Snow Hein for the beautiful oil paintings that grace the pages of the book. More than 100,000 copies have been sold/distributed since the publication. They have been circulated around the world. One thing Linda valued most, was that the children in the book reflect all the boys and girls on earth.
I asked Linda if she would share her thoughts about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness given her personal experience, and her own contributions to helping those with heartache. She reminds the public that one in three women will lose a pregnancy in their lifetime. That is a staggering number. The best thing a friend or family member can do is make efforts to show those who are hurting that they are not alone. Calls, cards, visits, gifts and acknowledgement of the life lost is what the grieving ask for most. She shared that many people have written her over the years to tell her what her book has meant to them. The number one thing they have said is that she helps them believe that their child will not be forgotten…for that is what a mother fears most. She reminds us to not forget about fathers and their grief, and that bottom line is that their is no “limit” on grief. Her book still ministers to her, not a day goes by where she doesn’ t think of Ali.
Those who are interested in purchasing this book may do so through Linda’s website or find her on Facebook. If you order from her, she will personalize your copy.
Her View from Home thanks Linda DeYmoz for her contributions to this piece, and donation to area ministries.
www.mommypleasedontcry.com