Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Hands

So many hands,
Here, 
Reaching,
Lifting,
Praying,
Working,
Helping,
Comforting,
Caressing,
Strengthening.

So many hands,
There,
Welcoming,
Playing,
Loving,
Holding,
Teaching,
Working,
Helping,
Comforting,
Strengthening.

Hands crossing the generations,
Interwoven between Heaven and Earth,
Knit into a circle of strength,
Forming a circle of prayer and love.

While Camille was in the hospital I had my sister in law Elizabeth (who is an awesome photographer) come from California and take detail pictures of every possible part of my little baby girl.  I don't want to forget any part of her tiny body.  The picture is the first she has shared with me.  It is when I was lying in the bed next to Camille with my arm around her and my mother is on the other side of the bed holding Cami's little hand in both of hers.  Thanks Elizabeth.  Priceless seems an inadequate expression at the moment.  Thanks also to Heather Gibb who took our family photos last week and has generously shared her work with us so quickly.  My heart is so grateful.

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

How can a photo be both incredibly beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time??!?

I'm sending my prayers and thoughts your way. Your faith and family will pull you through this difficult time. My grandmother, the mother of nine children, lost her oldest child at only 8 years of age to polio, and her youngest at 16 years in a car accident. The woman is an inspiration to me, and I can barely fathom the loss she has gone through in her life. If she can go through such an ordeal twice, I know you can do it, too.

Take Care,

Andrea McMann

Mandy said...

Praying for you family. What a beautiful picture. I found your blog via 5minutes4mom...

David and Maggi said...

How Beautiful!!!

Brian and Kara said...

A beautiful photo and poem! I hope that each day gets a bit easier than the one before. Take care!
~Kara

MaryClaire Brown said...

why is it that i cried harder last night as i was trying to fall asleep and couldn't stop thinking of you than i have in the last few days. and this photo and poem brought back last night's tears all over again. stephanie...i love you, and hopefully, my support along with the millions of other people's support is bolstering you up as you need it.

Shanan said...

wow - absolutely priceless. I'm so glad Elizabeth was able to capture these wonderful moments for you. I love you and your amazing family!

Carolyn said...

You are amazing Stephanie. So so sweet! I love you.

Karen Stewart said...

Stephanie, What beautiful pictures you had taken of her. Truly something to treasure. We are thinking of you constantly and you are on our minds and in our prayers.Mike and Karen Stewart

Deb said...

You don't know me, I am a friend of the Bezzants. I have been praying for both your beautiful angel daughter and for your family. I think of you daily and think of the joyous reunion you will have in Heaven some day. I just keep weeping and thinking of you. You are so strong and I hope as the months and years go on you will know that you have touched the lives of hundreds of people who love you and have never met you. I am so thankful we have an eternal perspective. Little Camille is and always will smile down upon your family. Heavenly Father is embrassing Camille and will comfort you and assure you of that throughout your life. I love your little Camille and no one will ever forget her. She has touched so many lives in her short life.

Heather S said...

Stephanie, it is a beautiful picture or a sweet hand. My love to your family and great husband...my tears also. Heather Smith

Molly said...

My prayers and thougths are with you and your family. What an amazing photo. May God bless you and your wonderful family.

Molly Zarbock

Anonymous said...

Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing such a precious photo, so beautiful. We send our prayers and love to you and your wonderful family.
Kristen & Robert Tanner

s g said...

E is truly so talented and I love this incredible photo she captured. Your words are so beautifully written as well. We pray you and your family will continue to feel peace and love these next few days and coming weeks.
-Gillespies

Beth said...

A beautiful, powerful, amazing photo. The love shared in that simple embrace is palpable. Your sweet Camille's hand is now cradled in the hand of our Lord. Thank you for sharing this precious gift. God bless.

S said...

WOW what a photo. my heart aches for you!

Amanda said...

what a beautiful picture, you and your fmaily are in my prayers.

Amanda-The Family News! said...

What a wonderful picture... So sweet and heartbreaking...my heart aches for you deeply.

Liz's Blog said...

Beautiful picture! This picture is truly amazing! Thank you for allowing me to spend time with your wonderful girls today. They are a joy to be with!
Love always,
Liz

Erin said...

To the Waite family,
I have been checking your blog daily since I heard about this tragedy. Though I don't know you, your family has been the subject of prayers in our home Since Saturday. We have you in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers and send our deepest sympathy and love your way.
Erin

Anonymous said...

You may have heard this before but I just thought I'd share...

" We have again the warning voice sounded in our midst, which shows the uncertainty of human life; and in my leisure moments I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting. The strongest reasons that present themselves to my mind are these: This world is a very wicked world; and it...grows more wicked and corrupt...The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again..." -Joseph Smith

The Gray Family said...

that picture is so beautiful...I am so glad you had the opportunity to have them all taken. What a wonderful way to remember your sweet little girl! Your family has been in my thoughts constantly since I heard the news, and we are praying for you!

i said...

So touching! What and amazing photo to have...

Stephanie said...

Breathtaking picture! You have been in my thoughts constantly. I am so saddened at your loss and l amazed at your faith and strength. You are an example to all of what it means to be a true believer.

My girls, Susanna (7) and Abby (4.5), are always up for a playdate; so.. if that would be helpful for you, don't hesitate to call.

Our prayers are with you and your family.

With love,

Stephanie Morris

Terri said...

I ache for you. I am praying for your family.

Anonymous said...

I don't even know you and I'm tearing up just reading about your tragedy. How quickly our lives can change... My prayers are with you and your family.

Erika said...

We just heard about your sweet Camille. We sat here and cried as we read your beautiful poem and looked at that touching picture and thought of you, Jon and your family. What a gift to be able to lift and inspire others in the midst of your own pain. We are thinking of and praying for you. Love, John and Erika Garner

Lindsay said...

I'm a friend of Elizabeth's and I just wanted to tell you how this event has touched me. I find myself appreciating each moment a little more. Please know that there are so many of us who are praying for you and your family.

Ter said...

I have just heard about your precious daughter on 5 min. for mom, and I came here to offer my condolences, even though I have not yet "met" you. I am a bereaved mother myself, and my heart breaks a little more every time I hear of another child gone too soon. Please know you are not alone. ((Many Hugs))

The photo is beautiful, and I'm so glad you had the opportunity to get a few more photos... You'll cherish them forever, I am sure.

Anonymous said...

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We are honored to have known Camille. She will be missed greatly.

Love, Sarah, Justin, Abigail, and Madeline Striblen

jaanderson family said...

What a beautiful picture. You are in our many thoughts and prayers. Your strength and faith continues to amaze me. We all love you and are praying for you and your sweet family.
Amanda Anderson

lesli said...

elizabeth just sent a hard copy one of these to my house today for the funeral--it totally spoke to me when i saw it. this is what i felt the most at the hospital with all of us there--generations upon generations of loved ones coming in and out of her room just as we all did. i am so glad you have this little snapshot of what eternity will be like. this is a good photo with which to occupy my mind. love ya, your sister www.leslistreets.typepad.com

Catherine Noorda said...

steph -

you are so strong and so many people love you and are praying for you. thank you for your example. we are always here for you.

the noordas

Rach said...

My heart is aching for you all.

BIG HUGS.

Rachael

Anonymous said...

Dear Jonathan, Stephanie, Sabrina, Lauren and Annie,

What an incredible photo! I am sure that the whirlwind of activity will slowly wain and you will have the time to mourn and grieve alone and with your husband and amazing girls.

Camille, so cute, full of happiness and truly loved by so many; her angelic spirit will be as powerful as her time on earth.

To say I am sorry for your loss, does not adeqately describe the feelings I have for you as a mother, wife and amazing person.

I will think of Camille each day as I take every precious moment with my son.

Thank you for sharing your touching and personal experience.

Nancy McCullough
Asheville, NC

Darren and Nikki said...

What a beautiful picture and what a beautiful poem. We love you Steph. We will be there tonight. - Nikki and Darren

EMILY said...

I thought my tears were done. i was wrong.

this picture is so beautiful. i love that it is generational. it shows the legacy of serving hands in your family. your hands and your mom's hands serving here on earth. camille's hands will be serving in heaven.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful memories to have and cherish. You are an amazing family. May the Lord bless you all. Much love Art & DeEtte

Unknown said...

I found your blog via 5 minutes for moms. What a beautiful picture! I will be praying for you and your family during this time. I cannot imagine your sorrow. I will be in prayer that you will have God's comfort and peace in these coming weeks as you face all that has to be done.

Leah
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lcourtneymom

Moody Family... said...

Such a beautiful picture that you will cherish forever. You are so lucky to have had Elizabeth there taking pictures. One of my best friend's little girl passed away after a few days in the hospital and our good friend went in and took pictures for the family and she loves those pictures so much and is so grateful to have them. I am thinking about you and your family and praying for you every day. Much love, Kelly (a friend of Elizabeth)

Handmade by Jen said...

Stephanie,
That picture really touched me! I loved the way the hands holding each other. It is very beautiful. It is like angels surrounding your little girl helping her along her way to home. You are amazing with courage and strength! Thanks for sharing with us your feelings and thoughts. We appreciate it and we love you!
Jennifer (Lewis) Long

MomOf4 said...

This is a very precious picture.

Stephanie said...

You have mad skills as a writer, my talent never progressed past Roses are Red...

Your words truly are beautiful. I am grieving your loss and simultaneously captivated by your strength. I guess I would hope if I were called to endure such a trial I would endure it well. Thinking and praying for you and your sweet family has been a catalyst for some serious introspection: Am I strong enough? Am I faithful enough? What do I need to do to be prepared? If the Lord were to require of me such a sacrifice, how would I respond? Am I prepared to face what path the Lord has for me? What do I need to do to be prepared? Thank you for sharing a part of your journey so we can all be strengthened through your experience.

Stephanie Morris

McGinnis Family said...

What a beautiful and gut/heart-wrenching photo!Your story has touched me so much! It has reminded me to not take anything in this life for granted, never! Our family has lost a daughter and this brought back many memories for me. You don't know us but we are praying for your sweet family. Thank you for sharing your story, for it has touched us deeply!