Dear Miranda,
I heard a song on the radio this morning that reminded me of all the things I grieve in losing you.
Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need you
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone
Well, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
I know that you’re not my little girl any more. All things are made new in Heaven. You are now who God ultimately meant you to be. I probably wouldn’t recognize you if I saw you with my earthly eyes, but I know that I’ll know you when we meet face to face.
I’ll be waiting for my dance.
I love you. I miss you. Give mommy a kiss from daddy.
Love,
Chad
Chad,
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you know the history of the song, and the story of Steven Curtis Chapman losing his daughter in a tragic accident. It touches me as a parent and as a follower of your story. Amazing song, and story. Praying for you everyday! thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Heidi - just another friend of a friend who has been following your story
I cannot stop reading your blog, overwhelmed with the sheer eloquence and pure emotion with which you pen your thoughts. I feel as if I have known your family forever. I want you to know that even though time has passed and everyone moves on with their own lives, I feel for you, I pray for you, and I even cry for you, as I am sure many others do, as well. You are so incredible, an awesome writer, and I hope you find some solace through releasing your emotions. Thank you for sharing your most intimate thoughts, because through you, I am viewing the world through very different eyes, and I feel and hope that this will in turn make me a better person in this world. Your story has inspired me to be better, to be more kind, to be more thoughtful, to spend more time loving and laughing, and less time being angry or worried. You have taught me to not waste time, but to embrace every moment, to see the light in the darkness, to not rush through life, but to slow down and appreciate everything around me. Belive me, I would rather you have your family here on earth and for me to learn that lesson in some other fashion, but since you have been an intregal part in my past month, I wanted to share that with you. I hope you do not find this intrusive. May God bless and comfort you, and may you feel true happiness again someday. Kindly, Emily
ReplyDeleteI cry every time I hear that song, and not because I have endured any of the sort of losses that you have, but because I know that one day my little girl will no longer be my little girl, and I need to cherish those precious moments while I can. Thank you for reminding me of this. And thank you for reminding me to cherish my husband more as well. You are in my thoughts and prayers every single day. God speed.
ReplyDeleteThis song makes me cry everytime I hear it. Someday Miranda will be waiting on the other side for a dance with her Daddy!! Still praying for you everyday!!
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for you. I can't even imagine what you are going through. Your story breaks my heart and often makes me cry when I read your words as you express your pain. Your faith in God is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts and are being lifted up in my prayers.
The song you posted is beautiful.
In Christ, Laura (I had to post this under my husband's name because he has a google account and I don't)
Here are the words to Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Heaven is the face" that he wrote about his little girl after she passed away.
"Heaven is the Face"
Heaven is the Face
Heaven is the face of a little girl
With dark brown eyes
That disappear when she smiles
Heaven is the place
Where she calls my name
Says, "Daddy please come play with me for awhile"
God, I know, it's all of this and so much more
But God, You know, that this is what I'm aching for
God, you know, I just can't see beyond the door
So right now
Heaven is the sound of her breathing deep
Lying on my chest, falling fast asleep while I sing
And Heaven is the weight of her in my arms
Being there to keep her safe from harm while she dreams
And God, I know, it's all of this and so much more
But God, You know, that this is what I'm longing for
God, you know, I just can't see beyond the door
But in my mind's eye I can see a place
Where Your glory fills every empty space
All the cancer is gone
Every mouth is fed
And there's no one left in the orphans' bed
Every lonely heart finds their one true love
And there's no more goodbye
And no more not enough
And there's no more enemy
No more
Heaven is a sweet, maple syrup kiss
And a thousand other little things I miss with her gone
Heaven is the place where she takes my hand
And leads me to You
And we both run into Your arms
Oh God, I know, it's so much more than I can dream
It's far beyond anything I can conceive
So God, You know, I'm trusting You until I see
Heaven in the face of my little girl
Heaven in the face of my little girl
What a reunion you will have! ...Dancing with both of your princesses who now wear royal crowns. Praying for your strength, courage, and peace, until that day arrives.
ReplyDeleteStopping by to offer my condolences to you. I read about your situation and wanted to let you know you'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I also wanted to encourage you to continue writing to and about your wife. I've done a similar thing when I lost my Mother. Blogging about them helps ease the pain, I believe. I've done sorta an alphabetical journal. With each letter, it's caused me to remember things from long ago, pleasant things. It's nice to have to have those memories.
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
Sandy
Chad,
ReplyDeleteBeen following your blog since the day of your horrible tragedy. This is a beautiful song (had to go listen to it).
I must say that something you said "I know that you’re not my little girl any more." Really touched me! She may not be here with you physically, but she will ALWAYS BE YOUR LITTLE GIRL!!! Don't let that get away.
all I can do is cry.
ReplyDeletewith you.
for you.
my heart breaks.