Jodi's Journal

This morning we buried Truman in a very special place with friends - all that he chose. We had been talking to him this past week, asking him 'yes' & 'no' questions and listening to his answers. He told us exactly what he wanted, where he wanted his body to rest, and who to attend his ceremony.

"Truman, do you want to buried in the yard at our house?"
"No."
"Do you want to be buried at the beach?"
"No"
"Near the Soul of Yoga studio?"
"No."
"In LA where you were conceieved?"
"No."
"North of here?"
"No."
"South of here?"
"No."
"West?"
"No."
"East?"
"Yes."

Hmmm, where east of our house would our lil guy want to be laid to rest? David talked to him more and got his answer.

There is a beautiful park, directly east from where we live called Black Mountain Open Space Park. It is very near to where David plays floor hockey on Sundays. Last week I went to watch David's game and we believe he passed on that Sunday, because the next day my belly popped (physically looking) and the contractions started. This is where Truman wanted to be.

It's no coincidence that the Jewish religion says to bury close to where the death occurred.

He also said he wanted 3 friends to attend. David & I each made our list of the people we thought he may want. We picked the same 3 people, the 3 Goddesses who supported us during the birth: Lorri our friend & doula, Evelyn our acupuncturist and Michelle our Midwife. Truman said "yes."

I love that we honored our son and did exactly what he wanted. May we continue to listen to our children and hear their truth.

The ceremony was beautiful, perfect and sacred. We each read a blessing, the poem that David wrote and covered him with rose petals. We tucked him away in a recyclable box, placed him in to the earth to return to where he came from.
Please join us in saying these prayers or any of your own.

A Prayer By Vienna Cobb Anderson

O God of love, Source of life, hear our prayers for Jodi. Her baby died before it ever came to birth. The blessing of your love was torn from her body, leaving her empty and devastated. Comfort her now in her sorrow. Restore her hope for a child to come. Give her courage and new delight in the days ahead. In good time, grant her a new life that her soul may rejoice and her body give birth; In Your name we pray.

Amen.


The Same Prayer for David

O God of love, Source of life, hear our prayers for David. His baby died before it ever came to birth. The blessing of your love was torn from His body, leaving Him empty and devastated. Comfort Him now in him sorrow. Restore Him hope for a child to come. Give Him courage and new delight in the days ahead. In good time, grant Him a new life that His soul may rejoice and His body give birth; In Your name we pray.

Amen.


A Prayer for the Families in Mourning

Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful, their days enriched with friendship, and their lives encircled by your Love. Amen.


Love Is Stronger Than Death, By Mary Hollingsworth

Love is stronger than death. So we must be content to know that Love is not affected by death-- it doesn't end, it doesn't diminish, it doesn't change. Instead, Love is immortalized and eternalized through death. And the possibility of that Love ever being damaged or broken is eliminated forever. We put our trust in Love.


A Prayer for Burial

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant Truman, and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints, who liveth with thee now and for ever. Amen.


Blessing After a Miscarriage

For those who trust in God, in the pain and sorrow there is consolation, in the face of despair there is hope, in the midst of death there is life. ...as we mourn the death of our child we place ourselves in the hands of God and ask for strength, for healing and for Love.


Prayer of Gratitude for God's Gifts

For this new morning and its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For every gift His goodness sends We thank you, gracious God. Amen.


TRUMAN

You did what was best for You, your Daddy & Mommy,
You did so by leaving your Mommy's tummy.
We are certain You had a good reason,
Perhaps You will come back to stay in a different season.
Until then, our hearts will remain open for You
And Your name for now we'll change back to Tru.

Should You choose to return as a She,
You shall go by the name of Truly.
If You are to be a boy to us again,
Then back You will have the name, Truman.

We love You so much and can hardly wait,
For You to return and thus a family create.
May Peace be with You each and every day,
For Your Spirit, Your Soul we promise to pray.
Come back to Us when You’re good and ready,
Wait for You We will: Your Mommy and Daddy.
Love, Us