One of the first things I learned as a bereaved parent was that I was surrounded by bereaved parents. I don’t mean to say that I didn’t know. For the many years we lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we knew a couple who would tell us when their deceased son’s birthday was and how old he would have been. I do not remember what my response was, but I’m sure it was inane. I wanted to express love for them and concern for their hurt, but I’m not sure I was able to. Two years ago we entered their world and discovered that we were surrounded by hurting parents. Our eyes had been opened.
Yesterday at lunch my friend Brian said that the scenario where a parent outlives their children is simply wrong. He is right. Even as we face the second anniversary of John Robert’s death, we know we have a long way to go. There is no actual destination, no place where we will no longer miss John Robert. A great blessing to me has been to be a part of The Compassionate Friends, a support group for bereaved parents. I am touched in a deep place in my heart to see parents who lost their children twenty, thirty, and forty years ago who still remember, love, and miss their children. Helping 
others with their grief through GriefShare has also been both a challenge and a blessing.
It still hurts. We have times when we think of John Robert and smile, and times when we think of him and cry. We have been blessed to be surrounded by care and sympathy. Expressions of thoughtfulness are frequent. This week we received a dozen cards of care and prayer from the Orange Grove Church of Christ in Gulfport. Many of our Monroe brothers and sisters help carry our burden through prayers, expressions of concern and care, and by not forgetting. That really is like a soothing balm on a wound that never heals. It helps.
As we go to the cemetery and place new flowers in remembrance and reflect on our precious son, we will shed many tears. But every tear is an expression of the depth of our love for him.
When we drive away from the cemetery we do not leave empty handed. We have a beautiful daughter who has a family. Our grandchildren mean everything to us. Maggy and I both are blessed with wonderful 
families that we love. Our life is rich with relationships and full with God’s mission. And hope.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Yes. We believe this.
To read about John Robert’s life click HERE.
Thank you for your prayers, concern, and love. And for reading today.
John
John, you and Maggy are never far from my thoughts and prayers. Knowing you has truly blessed me beyond imagining.
Thank you Brad. You guys enjoy that new life in your home…a true blessing for sure.
You are right, it is impossible to know the pain, the deep sadness…I don’t and I am grateful that I do not….but my heart breaks and bleeds with yours even now two years later. I shed tears but know as I continue my day my life will be the same….and yours never will. God alone will help this all make sense someday.
Thank you Donna. You walked with us through Katrina, and we know your prayers were with us through our more significant storm. We thank God for you.
John, your grief over your son has blessed many thousands of people with comfort and with a sense of companionship in suffering that many would not have otherwise experienced. Thanks for sharing your continuing pain and joining with so many in their sadness. You are a mighty conduit for the Holy Spirit’s peace.
Thank you Paul. That is encouraging.
John, every word you wrote has been felt by us. There are times we cry from sadness and times we cry from happiness. Thank you for being the friend you are and for writing such wonderful messages that helps the rest of us cope. I love you brother.
David
Thank you David… coping is about all we can do until Hope disappears in the certainty of His return.
Hello Brother, you both are an inspiration to me in how you have handled your storm. I know we don’t talk a lot, but your words and encouragement before and at Tulsa were significant to me. Thank you for who you are!
Trent
Thank you Trent, I appreciate you.
been thinking about you guys and praying for you already this month.
God bless. love you
Thank you Brian. Love you too.
John and Margaret;
What a nice article to share with all who have known such loss. And you are right…no one can really “know” …just like many things, until they have personally gone through it. But Thanks be to God for those who do not have to know such sorrow and pain.
You both are always close in thought/heart. I so often wonder…how are they doing this day? And pray God to give you strength and peace through your faith…although arms will never stop aching to hold him again. Or to hear his voice and see him when he faced and grew in a challenge.
You are a blessing to others who face just such a loss. Just to know another truly understands.
Much Love and Hugs!!
Dear brother John, I was thinking about you & Maggy as I realized the anniversary was approaching & I am sorry I am just now saying something…but I want you to know I am praying for you and love you dearly!!
Watching you walk through this storm openly with your faith growing stronger & raw emotion has been inspiring. Thank you once again for giving us the honor of walking with you down a path I know you wish you did not have to go down. I am so thankful you have hope in a living Christ who will continue to carry you.
Love you!! Blessings on you & Maggy~