Especially Heather
About the Author

Heather is a brain cancer survivor who lives life on the edge. She loves her family, her bald head and, most of all, her Savior’s grace. She lives in the sunny yet very humid state of Florida with her husband, three children and 2 dogs, a miniature schnauzer named Bailey...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Hello Heather, You and your daughter are so beautiful.
    Your story was an inspiration to me. I lost my georgeous
    daughter, Jacquelynn on July 18th, of this year. She was 31.
    The pain is still with me and our family, and I so appreciate your words
    and information on the book and CD. Thank you,
    All of Gods’ Love to you and your family. Yours in Christ,
    Beverly

  2. I am so very sorry for your loss… I understand the pain. I am so glad you stopped by today and were encouraged by our story. God is still good, even through the dark times, He is still so very good…
    Much Love,
    -H

  3. Beautiful words Heather. Thank you so much for sharing. Bless you. Praying God continues to wrap his arms of comfort around you, just as you did for your sweet Emma.
    Christy

  4. I’m so sorry for your loss. I can relate to it all. I lost my son Christian 4 days after you lost your daughter. We were blessed with two and a half hours with him, hours I cling to daily! I really needed to hear your words today so thank you.

    • I am so very sorry for your loss, Erin. We both have the knowledge that death is not the end, yet it doesn’t make the living without them on earth any easier. Thank you for stopping by and encouraging me through your story!
      -H

  5. I’m sorry for your loss. Such beautiful words and what an encouraging perspective. As Christy said, I pray that God will wrap His arms of comfort around you and your family.

  6. What a gift for you to share the journey–you are traveling. Thank you. It reminds me to cherish every moment (even the stressful ones) and to love with wild abandon. No one or thing can squelch the love of a mama, not even death. Praying for you and your new normal.

    What a beautiful girl….God shared with you.

  7. New Normal. Powerful words with such deep meaning. You are right, nothing can squelch the love of a mama, not even death. She truly was a gift…

    Thank you, Wanda, for stopping by and leaving your encouragement!
    -H

  8. I am so sorry for your loss. We lost our oldest daughter to cancer almost 5 years ago and it’s still so very very hard. But it never fails that in some of the toughest times God sends special people or special blessings just when we need it the most. Praying for you as you travel this journey.

  9. Tricia, thank you for stopping by and sharing your story! You are right, the Lord does send special people in our times of trials. For me, that person is my husband, he understands me more than I understand myself at times!
    I am so very sorry for your loss….
    -H

  10. I love you, Heather. Thank you for gifting us with your words and heart as you walk these difficult roads. Your faith shines, and you are beautiful.

  11. Heather,
    You story touched my heart. Thank you for sharing the intimate recesses of your heart. God always meets us in the darkest places. He reaches in and provides us comfort in His grace place. He mends the broken pieces of our heart.

    I too live in sunny Florida. It’s great to meet you.

    You and your family are in my prayers….

    Joan

  12. I think of you daily,Heather, and say a prayer for you and your family. Your words as always touch me very deeply. God is good..always.

  13. I am overwhelmed at your beautiful honesty. “I thought I was prepared for that day. And I so was not”
    We do think we will learn and pray ourselves into being okay when the “thing” comes, we may not know what “it” will be but we know “it” will occur. Then we truly realize we were never meant to be ready but to be dependent.
    How transparent you are to state what we all know to be true, that we struggle between what we know about the love of the Father and where our loved one is but, each moment we live here without them and it’s hard and it hurts.
    I just loved your words today.
    I know Father God is blessing your “pursuit” and thank you for letting us in.
    Rich Love and prayers….tonia booker

  14. How nice to see you here, Heather. I was just thinking about you last week, wondering how God was working through your loss . . . because I know He is. Thanks for the update and for the good reminder to look up.

  15. Heather, there are no words, this I know. I have heard the word “sorry” many times over the last four months and I every time I hear that word, I think “no one is more sorry than me.” There are no words to adequately express someone’s sorrow concerning your own. So, what I am left with for you is, I’m sorry. So incredibly sorry for what you are going through. I lost my identical twin girls the same day I gave them life. It is hard, it is ugly, it is just plain awful. I seek hard everyday for answers, for healing, for my savior. I may never receive any answers but I always find my savior. I hope you do as well…

  16. You know, I was thinking about you and Emma Grace this weekend. I was thanking God for the way you’ve shared yourself and Emma Grace with us all. I was thanking God for you. For Emma Grace. And for grace. Love you, Heather.

  17. Thank you for sharing, Heather. You and your daughter are so beautiful. My heart just aches and breaks for you. Being a mom, I couldn’t imagine what you are going through. And praising Jesus that Emma Grace is so happy with Him in heaven. I just want to cry for you. I will be praying and thank you for writing such a beautiful post.
    Sending you lots of love and a big hug,
    Melanie

  18. Heather,

    {{Hugs}} to my taller-than-me friend. I marvel at the way you share the impact of Emma Grace’s life and death in your own life; raw, honest, achingly beautiful.

    I can only imagine how your experience ministers to others who share a similar journey. Your faithfulness in telling your story matters greatly.

    xo

  19. Heather ~ I’ve read your blog many years now, rejoiced with you and wept with you, and while your daughter was so ill, I prayed you’d not walk the same road we have. We have buried two children (stillborn daughter -14 years ago & 16 year old son- almost 8 years ago). It’s heartache that never completely heals, and no you will never “get over” it, but you will grow through it. And, you will find your “new normal” but will always miss. What I find as I grow through this, our children did not miss out – our dreams of what should have been miss. Our oldest son just married a few months ago, and my heart hurt, thinking he should have been standing next to him, yet God knew even before the worlds were created. He knew the number of days for each of our children. Their time was finished. It’s hard to grasp. But someday our tears will forever be wiped away and the reunion a glorious that will last eternity! Blessings of peace Heather.

  20. Heather – I have read your blog for years and have prayed over and over that time for you and your sweet Emma Grace. My daughter Courtney has a seizure disorder and is profoundly disabled. Every time we enter the hospital, I don’t know if we will leave with her or without her. I have been so encouraged by your faithfulness to God throughout this journey He has you walking. I just want to thank you for your hopeful and honest words that rise up through your pain. I wrote down the verse you shared and have posted it by my daughters bed. She and I will continue to pursue together, taking each day as it comes. God is good, no matter what. You and Emma have showed us this. Blessings and Grace to you…

  21. I concur, Heather, Choosing to See and the CD Beauty Will Rise are fabulous resources for any of us going through struggles (and who isn’t?)! Thank you so much for sharing your wounded heart with us. You and Emma stand as a testament to the faithfulness and mercy of God.
    Praying continued healing and blessings on you and your family.

  22. I have a little boy born with Alagille Syndrome that nearly always comes with a liver with too few bile ducts that causes itchy skin and an inability to absorb fats and fat-soluable vitamins. His case also came with particularly difficult heart situation. Multiple surgeries and procedures and predictions of death at 2 weeks, 2 years, 5 years and now, most likely sometime in his teens…he’ll be turning 9 very soon. As such, I’ve prepared myself for his death over and over. Yet we continue to celebrate his life day after day. I’m thankful for every day I get. Your story struck a cord with me. My heart breaks for you and my soul rejoices with you. God is good, but it can be so hard to see if you don’t know him and trust him. I’m so thankful he’s given you the faith it takes to see his goodness in the loss of your sweet daughter.