Aug 25, 2011
Happy Birthday, Redemption Baby
I’ve heard some people call the next baby after a death your “Rainbow Baby.” And while that’s not wrong or anything, I’ve decided that doesn’t convey enough of what I feel about Morrow’s existence.
It’s pure Redemption–death, then life.
So happy birthday, Redemption Baby. You are more to me than you could ever know.
Sometimes I tell you your redemption story, and it usually goes something like this:
Mommy: Before you were born, Mommy had another baby in her tummy. Do you know what her name was?
MJ: Felicity.
Me: Yep, that’s right. And she grew and grew in my tummy, but then do you know what happened?
MJ: She died.
Me: Yeah, she died. And Mommy was really, really sad. I cried and cried and cried for a long time. Lots and lots of days. And Daddy cried lots and lots of days, too. But then do you know what happened?
MJ: What?
Me: God gave me another baby in my tummy. And do you know who that baby was?
MJ: Me!
Me: Yes, you. And when you grew and grew in my tummy I was still so sad. I missed your sister Felicity so much. But then it was time for you to come out of my tummy, and you know what?
MJ: What?
Me: I loved you so much. And every day that I held you and played with you and took care of you I loved you more and more. You made my heart so happy. And you make my heart happy every day. God made you so special for so many reasons. I’m glad I get to be your mommy.
So, Morrow–Mah-Jo, Mar, MahJoRahn, Mar-Mar, Jo-John, Chip–you have been a dynamic work of God in my life in the past three years, taking me from a place of death to a place of life.
Happy birthday, Redemption Baby.
(We celebrated Morrow’s birthday on Monday night, August 22nd. He was born 11 months to the day after his big sister, Felicity Margaret, was born still in 2007.)
oh morrow… happy birthday buddy! beautiful redemption story.
Happy birthday, you precious boy! Love to you, Molly.
Oh, tears. Happy birthday to precious Morrow.
Happy birthday and what a beautiful story to be able to tell Morrow. Precious one. Xxx
That is just beautiful Molly. What a lovely conversation. I look forward to the day of more developed conversations like that with my “redemption baby” (I like your term!) Cate, who’s approaching 2 years old now.
Oh Molly, I’ve never thought about it all exactly like that, but you are SO right! And that’s such a beautiful way you express it to Morrow. I’ve often thought about how Benjamin will never know his brother, and I’ve never quite known how to share about David with him while he is so young. This is such a beautiful post.
Happy birthday, Redemption Baby!
all true.
tears :)
this was beautiful! thank you for sharing!
Beautiful. Happy birthday, sweet Morrow!
This is one of the most tender renderings of beauty from ashes I can imagine.
Happy birthday, Morrow. You bring joy!
How I hope, pray, scream and, okay, BEG to have a redemption baby to tell such a story to as well! As always, you write beautifully and find ways to express yourself that are a relief to others who feel the same but can’t find the words (as you’ve done in posts past).
Happy Birthday, Morrow. (And here’s to you, too, Miss Felicity)
Got goosebumps reading that story. How interesting is the story God is knitting together for our lives.
Oh Molly…I love this.
What a wonderful story of God’s healing in your life! I am going to borrow your term for my youngest child.
Tears…what a beautiful way of putting this story of your family. I’m 2 1/2 weeks from delivering my ‘redemption baby’ (love the term) lot’s of emotions right now. Thanks for helping to bring some of them out today. Happy Birthday sweet Morrow.
Oh, Baby!! Happy Birthday, Morrow! You are a treasure, and God has a wonderful plan for your life!
Happy Birthday Morrow.
An old friend who is a twin told me that she and her sister where born after their sister Mary Carol had died. Her parents named her and her twin sister Marilyn and Carolyn after their older sister.
mmmmmm. AMEN! Hugs.
:) I have always loved the term rainbow baby but redemption baby is such a good term too!
Happy birthday to your sweet boy…..and what a special way to talk to him about his big sister. My middle son Drew will be three on September 22, and that is my birthday too. I also have a daughter Molly who will be one in October (I clicked on your blog tonight while I was on Kelly’s Korner because I noticed your name). Thank you also for such a great reference on relating to people who are grieving…..I know I can learn a lot from you! Most people (me included) just have no idea what to say, so we don’t say anything, or we say the completely wrong thing….and I’m sure that makes it even worse. Thank you and God bless your precious family!
I’ve only read your blog a handful of times. After our daughter was stillborn at 38 weeks April 2010 we had random people tell us “read Molly Piper’s blog” and I have referenced some of your great posts on grief since then. I haven’t read your blog in a long time, however, but today I checked it and was blessed to read this post as I feed my Redemption Baby boy (born exactly 13 months after our daughter). I love the terminology, love the meaning… and I just think it sounds better than Rainbow Baby. Thanks for this.
Still the “cutest baby in the town”
God is sweet!
So is that precious babe of yours (really all of them!)
I thought of you all and prayed for you on the 22nd, Morrow’s actual birthday, and I spent time meditating on the verse in Psalms that your father in law posted when he announced Morrow’s arrival. Praise God for giving you a 3rd birthday and more to come with sweet Morrow, and I remember Felicity with love.
Truly a promise fulfilled and a faith to cling too. What a sweet Morrow!!! Praise God for His unfailing love. We truly have hope in Him.
Hi Molly,
Thanks for sharing your joy of redemption from pain. I started reading your blog a few years ago (not sure how I found it). Little did I know that your posts on losing a baby would one day be so relevant to my own life.
We lost our first child, a girl, Talitha Asha, this past January 30, when she was stillborn at 24 weeks. We are now expecting our second child – our redemption baby – this coming February 24! We are so grateful, of course, but also nervous as we move forward. We started blogging about our process of healing a few months ago, if you are interested: talithaasha.wordpress.com.
Thank you for your openness and courage in sharing your grief and your joy. God used your example (along with others and some Holy Spirit prompting) to encourage me to open the door and let others see into our journey through this difficult time.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you and connect a bit.
Love, Katie
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing, and happy birthday to Morrow. We too, have a redemption baby, born one year to the day of our stillborn daughter’s death. He is pure joy to us!
Awww…I missed Morrow’s birthday. :( Well, happy birthday, little man. My heart has been tied to yours since I’ve been following this blog. ;)
Molly, God has done a beautiful work in your family. They are precious. I love you!!