Free Sample Chapter 1-4 of In the Cleft

About Me

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Speaker, author and grief counsellor Dana Goodman lives in Kamloops British Columbia. Dana has a passion for helping people navigate through their grief journeys. Her memoir, In the Cleft Joy Comes in the Mourning, written four years after the deaths of her husband, son and mother-in-law to cancer, recently won top novel at the Wildsound Writing Festival in January. Dana's heart's desire is that In the Cleft will help her readers embrace their own profound losses and find hope in the midst of their pain. Renewal, meaning and purpose can be unearthed even after unthinkable tragedy. Dana loves being outside with her family and especially loves mountain biking, running and listening to worship music. She feels content in her everyday life if she has read an inspiring story, connected with her husband, son and friends and spent time in the outdoors with her dog.

Friday, February 20, 2015

My Boy Would Have Been 18

My Boy Would Have Been 18
January 13, 2015





Each year, you would think it would get easier, but it doesn't.  Zach's birthday is always so hard.  We are remembering him today by going to Montanas for ribs and then watching Natcho Libre starring Jack Black, two of Zach's favourite things to do.  I woke up this morning to a homemade card from Doug, with Legos glued all over it.  At the top were the words, "Heaven's Master Builder."  Zach lived to build Lego creations, so Doug's token of love meant the world to me.  My best friend Katherine sent me a text this morning that was so very precioius.  She wrote, "A couple of days ago I was thinking about Zach's birthday and Jesus gave me a word-picture for you:  it was of Zach taking a selfie of he and Jesus together laughing.  Zach seemed to be saying, 'Hi Mom!  Look at me and Jesus hanging out in heaven.'  He seemed so happy and wanted you to know all is well."  So, I smile at the thought of him taking a selfie with Jesus and of him being a master builder in heaven.  Loving thoughts have flooded in on facebook from family and friends and I breathe easier today because I know people have not forgotten my precious boy.  Thank you to all who have lifted my sad heart.  Your love has broken our fall.

As always God's kindness breaks through the dark.  As I listened to the album "Zion" by Hillsong United, God's relentless love spoke words of healing and life. The lyrics of songs comforted:  

  • "My love tears through the darkness"
  • "I will carry you"
  • "Death where is your sting?"
  • "You can rest in my embrace"
  • "Heaven's story breathes life into your bones"
  • "My love will be your companion in this war against your pain"
  • "My love is brighter than the sun, more beautiful than words can ever say"
  • "My glory will break through the dark"

I felt the closeness of God and the warmth of his love, a knowing that he would walk with us through tears and laughter as we fondly remember the 13 years we were blessed to spend with Zach.


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