• About
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
  • Ministry
    • Video
    • St. Peter Institute
  • Contact

A Little Flower Grows

Catholic Lifestyle Blog

On Loss, Suffering, Love, + Gratitude

September 11, 2015

Sometimes things happen in life that we don’t understand. Sometimes these things are tragic, or scary, or heartbreaking. Sometimes they happen unexpectedly, and hit you out of nowhere like a ton of bricks. Or sometimes they happen not so unexpectedly, but that doesn’t make the burden any easier to bear.

I’ve had many such instances in my life, especially during my college years so far. The day I got dropped off for my freshman year, one of my oldest + dearest childhood friends was hit by a car and suffered a traumatic brain injury, and nearly died.

Less than six months later, the 22-year-old daughter of friends that my family has known almost my whole life died from cystic fibrosis.

The day I came home for the summer after freshman year, my mom was hospitalized for chest pains that turned out to be a heart attack. She had to undergo open heart surgery to fix the problem.

Then during the first month of my sophomore year, my mom had to undergo another surgery to remove a mass that, thankfully, turned out not to be cancerous.

Other things happened during the two-year course of these events too. My family almost lost our house. I went through a breakup. My dad lost his job (again), adding to the on-again, off-again unemployment he’s dealt with since I was 13, and he decided to change careers.

Then just a couple weeks ago, on August 28, days before the start of my junior year, my grandpa passed away. My sister and I had to fly home to Michigan halfway through the first week of classes to attend his funeral.

I grew up with my grandparents. My grandma + grandpa, as well as my other grandma, have lived 40 minutes away from me or less since the day I was born. They have always been involved in my life, from babysitting me when I was little, to attending every music + dance recital in elementary school, to being there for every important event in middle + high school, including choir concerts, plays, + graduation. In addition, we’ve always spent every holiday with grandparents + extended family, celebrated every birthday with them, and made frequent, random visits to their houses. This is how my life + my relationship with my grandparents has always been. And I realize that I am tremendously lucky + blessed because of it.

But it does make losing one of my beloved grandparents all the more difficult.

A large portion of my extended family was able to be present when my grandpa passed away, but my sister and I were stuck helplessly in Florida. Thankfully, we had the chance to call up to the hospital just hours before he died. My aunt held the phone up to my grandpa, who couldn’t speak or open his eyes or move anymore, and we talked to him one last time. We told him that we wished we could be there, that we were thinking of him and praying for him, and that we loved him.

And my aunt told us that while we spoke to him, his breathing changed slightly, and his eyes fluttered a bit. He could hear us and understand us. And, even though he’d suffered from dementia and hadn’t really recognized us in several years, I believe that in that moment, he knew us again.

In fact, my aunt said that in his final hours, he was Grandpa again. He knew everyone again, and he understood everything. And, feeble and dying though he was, he was looking after everyone, just like he always used to. Reassuring my aunt (his daughter) that he would be okay. Asking my grandma (his wife) to sit beside him and hold his hand. Waiting for my mom and dad (his son), who were traveling home from taking Bridget and I to Florida, to arrive at the hospital so he could say goodbye to them. They were the last family members to arrive, and he passed away 20 minutes after they got there.

Bridget and I were able to fly home the night before the funeral to be there for what turned out to be a beautiful service. It was a day of intense emotions, because on one hand, I was genuinely happy to see so many dear friends and family members from near and far, yet at the same time, I was heartbroken over the reason we were seeing each other.

But it was such a blessing to be together, to hug each other, cry together, comfort each other, smile together, lean on each other, and mourn together.

I was sufficiently drained emotionally by the end of the day and felt exhausted. But I was extremely grateful for my time with family, and that I was able to come home for the funeral. And I am thankful, most of all, for my grandpa’s life. He meant so much to so many people, and, while my family mourns his loss and misses him dearly, we know he is in a better place. We have hope in Christ, that He will have mercy on my grandpa’s soul and grant him his eternal reward.

And, as one dear family friend pointed out, now I have another intercessor in heaven.

Rest in peace, Grandpa.

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. {1 Thess. 4:13-14}

Related

Categories: family, home, reflections, suffering, surrender

Related Posts

Reflections on “The Passion of the Christ”
An Open Letter to High School Graduates
A Letter to My Freshman Self (and All College Freshmen)
Previous:
{Summer Wardrobe Essentials} Colors
Next:
7 Money Saving Hacks for College Students

Comments

  1. A Lowly Catholic says

    September 12, 2015 at 10:35 pm

    I'm so, so sorry to hear of your loss! I lost my grandmother several years back, and, although I was still young at the time, I was old enough to grasp what was happening and it was really hard. I know how you're feeling, and I offer my deepest condolences. Isn't it grand, however, to have our faith and know that he is really only on the other side of the veil?
    God bless!
    Elizabeth.

    Reply
  2. Rosalie Boyd says

    September 19, 2015 at 12:15 pm

    Beautiful, Stephanie. I love you. Grama

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Me

Hi, I'm Stephanie!

Catholic wife, mama of two, and homemaker. Michigan native, thrift shopper, and tea drinker. Embracing and striving for authentic womanhood as God designed. Welcome to my little corner of the internet, where I share from my heart about wife life, mama life, and Catholic life. Pour a cup of tea and stay awhile!

Let’s Connect

Recent Posts

  • 8 Tips to Get More Done with an Infant
  • Welcome to My Blog Relaunch!
  • 8 Essential Baking Supplies Every Beginner Needs
  • Top 9 Powerful Novenas for Catholics
  • Top 6 Highlights of the San Francisco Bay Area

Topics

Blog Archive

Selfie Shade Match - trèStiQue

Follow Me on Insta

alittleflower_grows

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All othe “The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only - and that is to support the ultimate career.” • A beautiful quote about homemaking from one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis.

Fellow homemakers & mamas, we are not “just” homemakers or “just” stay-at-home moms. We have the most important job in the world: caring for our children & our homes, forming little souls, shaping the next generation, and most importantly, raising future saints. 

It is a privilege and a blessing to have such a job, one that God designed women for in a unique way. May God always give us the we need to do it well. 💕
New mamas, I know how hard the transition can be w New mamas, I know how hard the transition can be when you bring a new baby home. When you feel like you can’t get anything done anymore. Between feeding, changing, and holding the baby, oftentimes there’s no time (or energy) for anything else. And while caring for your baby is of course a worthy job, it doesn’t change the fact that there are things you need or want to do. 

I get it—I’ve been there and still am! But I’ve figured out some hacks along the way that I want to share with you.

So mamas, here are my top 8 tips to get things done, even with an infant in the mix!

1. Prioritize prayer over everything.
2. Make checklists.
3. Prioritize 1-2 tasks for the day.
4. Babywear.
5. Take advantage of small windows of opportunity.
6. Accept help.
7. Practice teamwork with your spouse.
8. Go easy on yourself.

Read all the details in my newest blog post! Link in bio. And always remember mamas, you’re doing a great job, and God chose YOU to be the mother of your baby! There is no greater mother for your baby than you! 💗

What are your best tips for keeping up with tasks after a baby? Let me know in the comments!
One of my favorite quotes about motherhood comes f One of my favorite quotes about motherhood comes from my favorite saint (and the namesake of my little babe featured in this video), St. Thérèse the Little Flower: “The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.” Her own mother is also a canonized saint, St. Zélie—so I know Thérèse spoke from firsthand experience! How beautiful that the love in our own motherly hearts is a reflection of God’s love for us! Let’s strive to live up to that reflection, and to follow St. Zélie’s example in our own motherhood and raise wonderful saints.
Hi, I’m Stephanie 👋🏻 Welcome if you’re n Hi, I’m Stephanie 👋🏻 Welcome if you’re new here, or welcome again if you’ve followed me before! I’m revamping & relaunching this account, as well as my blog (A Little Flower Grows) with a whole new sense of inspiration and mission ✨

A little bit about me:
• I’ve been married to my husband, Marcus, for a little over 4 years
• We now have two babies, Benedict (20 months) and Therese (6 months)
• I’m a full-time stay-at-home mom and homemaker, and it’s my dream job
• I’m a devout Roman Catholic
• We live in southeast Michigan where I grew up
• Check out my blog post to read more! (Link in bio)

I can’t wait to dive into this account and blog to bring you inspiring, encouraging content on womanhood & motherhood from an authentically Catholic perspective. 

Please feel free introduce yourself in the comments—I can’t wait to get to know you all!
Yesterday’s Memorial Day cake, baked by yours tr Yesterday’s Memorial Day cake, baked by yours truly 🇺🇸 Speaking of baking, did you catch last week’s blog post about my top 8 essential baking supplies?! Hop on over to read my list - from one beginner baker to another - of baking supplies that every beginner needs! Link in bio👩🏻‍🍳
——
I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! 🙏🏻
New post on the blog today about my top 9 favorite New post on the blog today about my top 9 favorite, powerful novenas 🙏🏻 “Personally, I love novenas. As someone who appreciates schedules, I think it’s something about the nine-day structure that draws me to novenas. Plus I have found them to be extremely powerful and efficacious in my life for many an intention - not the least of which is the finding of my now spouse...” 💕 Continue reading #ontheblog ➡️ link in bio!
In 2016, I had the opportunity to spend time in Po In 2016, I had the opportunity to spend time in Poland for World Youth Day in Krakow, including visiting John Paul II’s hometown of Wadowice. What a blessed time it was - I’m still reaping the graces of that pilgrimage four years later. ——
I have soo much love for JP2. He was the pope of my childhood - the first papa from as far back as I can remember. I have so much appreciation for his Theology of the Body that first blew my mind in high school and that I was privileged to study more deeply in college. I love so many of his other writings too, and gosh I just love him in general.
——
Happy heavenly birthday to an amazing man, pope, and saint. St. John Paul II, pray for us! 💕
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom! And to my grandma Happy Mother’s Day to my mom! And to my grandma and mother-in-law! Three mother figures that I am so blessed to call mine 💗 Thank you for all you do for us and for being the best. We love you all! 🥰
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Theme by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2023