Blogging has connected me to a world of amazing women who I now call friends. I’ve said this many times before, but our blog community is like a big family in many ways. We laugh, celebrate, encourage, dream, and even grieve together. Today one of our own is hurting and we have a tremendous opportunity to help provide comfort. Heidi, a gifted seamstress from the blog HoneyBear Lane, has asked for our help.
Tragedy struck Heidi’s extended family this week. Â Heidi’s sister-in-law, Alice, gave birth to her third baby and then fell seriously ill with a terrible infection (strep A toxic shock syndrome.) Â Alice fought hard, but in the end it was too much. Â She passed away on Tuesday. Â Heidi’s family is completely shocked, devastated, and heart broken. Heidi’s brother had just graduated with an MBA but did not have health insurance and he does not have a job. He is grieving, jobless, and is now a single father to his three children, one of which is a newborn baby.
Please read the following post and consider if you are able to help in some small (or great) way. Times are tough all around. If you’re unable to help financially at this time, I know that Heidi would appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement.
The loss of a loved one is a strange surreal reality. Life is completely normal except for one large, gaping hole. Each day the pain seems to become more real and defined as the actuality of what has happened sinks in.
Heidi of Honeybear Lane, lost her sister-in-law, Alice Hansen, this week to complications following the birth of her third baby. She fought a hard fight to stay on this earth with her husband and three little children who love her dearly. But God wanted her with Him and there is none who can stop Him. Her husband, Heidi’s brother, was left behind to take care of their two little boys and newborn daughter.
Heidi’s family opened a donation account for Alice and her family. This money will go towards funeral costs, residual medical expenses, and the costs of raising children without a mother or a job. Her brother is going through a very difficult thing and while nothing can replace the ache of losing his sweetheart, any sort of donation will help to ease the burdens a little.
If you would like to donate money directly, please visit Heidi’s blog Honeybear Lane. You can donate easily by clicking the “Donate” button on the right sidebar. You can donate through Paypal, credit card, or e-check (a check directly from your bank account.) Any and all donations are appreciated.
Please also spread the word by sharing any posts you see about it. You may use any of these beautiful printables that the talented Lara made for Alice. These printables represent the music that Alice made in her life–being a PhD in music. In addition to being a wonderful wife and mother, she was a very gifted pianist who traveled the world before getting married and having children. She shared that passion with her husband, also a pianist. Music brought them together.
Music was her passion. But her family was her life. She figuratively and literally gave her life for her children. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Message from Heidi: From the bottom of our grief-stricken hearts: Thank you.
Please click here to donate.
Susan says
Thanks for posting Beth.
Kathy Donchak says
I cannot say how much my heart aches for this family. I hope there is something we can do. I posted this on my blog as well. There really are no words.
Caryn says
I have no money to give, but only words. This poem was given to me after my mom died and it these were the only words I found comfort in. May God bless you and your family during this time of grief!
God Knows Best
by Helen Steiner Rice
Our Father knows what’s best for us,
So why should we complain–
We always want the sunshine,
But He knows there must be rain–
We love the sound of laughter
And the merriment of cheer,
But our hearts would lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear…
Our Father tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow,
He tests us, not to punish us,
But to help us meet tomorrow…
For growing trees are strengthened
When they withstand the storm,
And the sharp cut of a chisel
Gives the marble grace and form…
God never hurts us needlessly,
And He never wastes our pain
For every loss He send to us
Is followed by rich gain…
And when we count the blessings
That God has so freely sent,
We will find no cause for murmuring
And no time to lament…
For our Father loves His children,
And to Him all things are plain,
So He never sends us pleasure
When the soul’s deep need is pain…
So whenever we are troubled,
And when everything goes wrong,
It is just God working in us
To make our spirit strong.
Vivian says
I will spread the word in my blog. This is beyond heartbreaking…my prayers and thoughts for this family.
Tiffany says
Bless this family…this has been a hard year on so many people. Praying for them to have strength in the coming days weeks and months…
Kimberly Deacon says
This is so sad, I will spread the word for donations!
{Adventuresindinner} says
So very, very sorry for all. The whole situation is beyond heartbreaking.
Thank-you so much for posting the link.
We’ve lost my sister-in-law and brother-in-law in the past 6 weeks but they had had 40 happy years together and had seen their two children grown and happy.
Prayers to this dear family.
Beth @A to Z says
Oh wow Jane. I’m so sorry for your loss as well. There are never any easy words of comfort to give when grief strikes. I’m grateful for this community we have to share our burdens with.