Friday, August 7, 2009

me and gabe

This is an up-close shot of the painting some of you asked about that hangs above Jonah's crib. This photo doesn't do the painting justice, but it's the best I could do.

It's actually a painting of this picture my friend Lauren took when I was 33 weeks pregnant with Gabe. It was taken at the old church at Tanglewood (for you local folk).

A friend I grew up with, Amy, did the painting. She is super-talented, and soon after Gabe died, contacted me and let me know she wanted to do a painting for me. I sent her to my Shutterfly posting of all the pictures Lauren took, and she chose this one. And I'm so glad she did! I LOVE both the photo and the painting. Don't I have such wonderful friends?

This is the one we had on a stand at Gabe's funeral, and it now hangs in Jonah's room as well.

And since the last couple posts have been about God working in my life, let me just say that these photos that Lauren took were not just a gift from Lauren, but a gift from God. You see, I was so laid back during my first pregnancy, I hardly took any pictures of the pregnant me. And then Lauren came during her Spring Break (March of 08... about four weeks before Gabe died), and INSISTED that we go take some pictures (which were actually the subject matter of my very first post). I was happy to oblige, but it most certainly was not my idea. I do not think I am a very photogenic person (believe me, I am very selective of the photos I post here), so it's hardly ever my idea to do a photo shoot of me.

But I truly think God laid that on Lauren's heart. What if I didn't have these beautiful photos? They're one of only a few memories I have of sweet Gabe.

I am so thankful to Amy and Lauren (and God, of course) to have these beautiful reminders that will hold me until I get to see sweet baby Gabe again.

34 comments:

Lorraine said...

Sweet! Absolutely beautiful! O, how God has blessed you with dear and talented friends ... and how He has blessed me through your testimony!

Unknown said...

Beautiful!!!

jessica said...

That is a beautiful painting! I got a little teary-eyed. What a great gift.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

The picture is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

That is truly amazing, what a perfect gift to look at each and everyday!

jandkland said...

Both the painting and the picture are breathtaking. Thank you for sharing something so personal.

--Kelley in GA

Alison said...

Beautiful photos and a lovely painting. How can you think you are not photogenic??? I don't know you IRL, but you always look amazing in the photos on this blog.

Tricia said...

Thank you, so much, for sharing that. It is simply beautiful.

Anonymous said...

thank you for sharing how that beautiful picture came to be!

RILEY ANSON MITCHELL said...

Isn't it truely amazing how God has things work out. That is a wonderful story and beautiful pictures.
Jennifer
www.teamrileyanson.blogspot.com

Toni :O) said...

Such a beautiful post and those pictures are priceless...I'm so happy for you that you have those as a sweet reminder. May God continue to bless you and your sweet family. Sorry if I use the word sweet so much when I leave a comment, I just think you are sweet as punch and I've never even met you...just a feeling I get. Hugs to cutie boy Jonah!

Angela said...

Absolutely beautiful. The pictures and the story.

Lisa said...

The painting and the photo are beautiful, I am sure they will not only hang in your home but in Jonah's home when he is grown with children of his own.

Megan @ Hold it Up to the Light said...

I was crying before I even read a word. These pictures are priceless. gorgeous. perfect.

Thanks so much for sharing them!

Praying for you every day!

Anonymous said...

Patrice...those are the most beautiful pictures! You look absolutely fabulous, what a gift your friend gave you.

She is also an amazing photographer.

I have been meaning to comment all week...but basically all I want you to know is that I have been thinking of you and sending you positive energy and thoughts

I hope you caught some of it ;o)

Kimberly
WI

Laura A said...

Beautiful. What wonderful friends - I know they are both blessings to you.

Am praying for a peaceful weekend (filled with sleep-filled nights!) for all three of you. Give sweet Jonah a kiss!

Love from TX!
Laura

Lauren said...

many many many thanks for letting me capture those moments.

after everything that happened, i was thankful we had done them, too. for whatever reason, i knew we had to do those pictures (but let it be known that katie was also bugging me for them, cause you hadn't shared any pictures of your pregnant self and all of us in greenville wanted to see them.)

love you, chica. so grateful to be linked to your family in such a simple, but special way.

KK said...

They are so breathtaking! I love them.

Anonymous said...

Patrice,
I LOVE YOUR BLOGS and I LOVE YOU! AND JONAH! AND MATT!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AS YOU CONTINUE TO PARENT, AS YOU CONTINUE TO LIVE FOR OUR WONDERFUL, MERCIFUL JESUS.

Love & Prayers,
Sandy in King

Anonymous said...

The painting is so beautiful and so are the rest of the pictures. You are so blessed to have such wonderful, talented friends! You are a beautiful person and you photograph great. Don't ever forget that. You heart shows through your eyes and your smile. And I too say thank you for sharing something so personal. Hope you have a wonderful weekend with Jonah and Matt.

Marisa said...

So very lovely, Miss Patrice. Thoughts and prayers your way.

Love,
Mis

Michelle said...

Beautiful! The picture doesn't do the painting justice and the painting doesn't do the picture justice. Amazing!

Rebekah said...

Patrice, you are so wrong, you are so beautiful in photos. Your painting is so beautiful.

Erin said...

Wow, so beautiful!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful gift that was...from God and Lauren! Thank you for sharing that sweet memory and picture of you and your sweet angel baby Gabe..hope ya'll have a fun weekend!
much love and blessings~erin

Sharon and Michael said...

Thanks for sharing! Love the pics. Heaven just keeps getting sweeter. I can hardly wait to someday meet your little Gabe when I cross over. :)

Nicole said...

This is the 1st time I have left a comment on your blog. I have been reading your posts for many months and was shocked today to see how attacked you must have been this past week. You are such a strong person - and so normal at the same time! I have not lost a baby (thankful everyday!) and cannot even imagine how hard some days are for you. When my girls are sick and I can't make them better it breaks my heart - you are so brave with everything you do for Jonah! Just know for every negative person out there - there are at least 10 positive people who admire what a great job you do for your baby!

Anonymous said...

Patrice,

Thanks so much for sharing your life with us! The painting is beautiful. So are the photo's...went to Laurens site...
LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. her photography. I was thinking about looking her up again to see if we could get her to take some photo's of my family sometime...

Your whole family is such a blessing to the world.

You are so lovely, beautiful, honest and funny...Matt and Jonah are so lucky to have you for wife and mommy.

Wendee
in Lewisville NC

Denise said...

What a beautiful picture, and what a great idea to hang it over Jonah's bed. This is the first time I have been on your blog, your evident faith and trust in God is refreshing. I lost two of my triplets to Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome and prematurity (born at 24 weeks), but their brother Elijah survived and is doing well. He still has a long road ahead of him, but God worked such a miracle in Elijah's life and continues to do so, just like he has and will for your little Jonah. I believe God left my Elijah here to be a testimoney to his great works and miracles. Their are so many who don't believe in miracles anymore or have little faith in them. We having living proof though! God Bless You! I blog about Elijah and my family if you ever get a chance, it is
http://preemiedays1.blogspot.com/

summer... said...

i read the previous blogs. i am so sorry! my heart broke for the harshness of some peoples words. wow! well. i am so glad the Lord is teaching you so much! our Jesus is amazing. he molds & guides us through our trails. the painting & pictures are so precious. SO PRECIOUS. what a gift you have.

Michelle H said...

I just found your blog, am so sorry for mean people. I wonder if all those evil "anonymous" comments were one person. The timing of them is suspicious. I wanted to say that I read a report recently on SIDS, and that there appears to be a correlation between these babies and seratonin levels that are too high. I don't know where that's gone, I've been waiting to see, 'cause my (6)babies have been tummy/co-sleeping/blanket/bumper pad using babies.I'm adding my prayers to those of all your wonderful followers and friends! I was recently asked to give a testimony on baby loss at our church(mine were second trimester miscarriages)and stated that one thing I found was that joy and pain live side by side, and your life exemplifies that! God Bless.

Jennifer W. said...

I absolutely LOVE the pic and the painting, but the painting is my favorite. And I think you are beautiful-I hate pics of me too. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you have been attacked this week. It's funny, MckMama has been attacked pretty heavily lately-I wonder if it's the same nasty person?? Anyway, Jonah is YOUR baby, you do what is best for him AS HIS MOTHER. We all do. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Jen

Hannah laws said...

That is sooooooooo awesome!!:) still praying for Jonah!!:)

purejoy said...

what a blessing that your friends chose to honor and remember Gabe that way. isn't He just amazing!