Kristena Tunstall

  • Home
  • Bible Study Quiet Time
    • Jen Hatmaker
      • A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study
  • Speaking/Webinars
  • Our Daughter’s Hospital Story
  • Blog
Kristena Tunstall > My Writing > Monthly Blog Chain > Memory, the good, the bad, and the bittersweet

Posted on August 17, 2012 By Mommy's Angel in Heaven

Memory, the good, the bad, and the bittersweet

Memory. What’s in a memory? For some it can make them relish in the excitement of looking back on a day that brought them great happiness such as the day someone gets married or the birth of a child. For others, it can make them cower to the horrific images they are left with over a terrible event. For others, their memories are neither good nor are they bad. They view themselves as having a boring life and not much to think back on. And then for some their memories are bittersweet as they remember the one they loved and yet they are no longer here with them on this earth.

I have both the happy memories and the horrific memories. They are what have defined me as to who I am today. I would be a completely different person if not for the things that have happened in my past. And then I also have those bitter sweet memories. They are bittersweet because I think back on the life of my beautiful baby girl and no matter whether they are happy memories or nerve wracking memories, they are all beloved memories of my little angel now in heaven. Yet, that is all I have left now are those memories of her.

I will never get to create new memories as my life continues to move forward. I will always have the memories of what had been. I cherish those memories and I write about them as a way to help her memory continue to live in the hearts of others. By me continuing to talk about her, both the good and the bad, I am honoring her and the life she lived. Even now as I type this, it both puts a smile on my face as well as forming a tear in my eye.

I feel blessed that I was chosen to be Mari’s mom. Sometimes I wonder what God was doing when He chose me but then at the same time I know He knew what He was doing. Mari made me a better person. I am honored to have been her mom and so ever grateful and thankful that I do have the memories of her life and how I was so fortunate to have been a part of it.

 

Featured Book: Tapestry of Trust

August 20, 2012 Kristena Tunstall 0
Tapestry of Trust is written by Mary Annslee Urban. Book Description: Burned once, school teacher Isabelle Crafton vows to stay from Charlie Hamilton. He let her down once and she isn’t willing to trust her heart again. Trust has never come easy for Isabelle. She never knew her father and was abandoned by…
 

The Journey with JoAnn Durgin

August 16, 2012 Kristena Tunstall 5
Please welcome this weeks guest JoAnn Durgin for The Journey. She answers the question: How have you seen God work in your writing journey? Have I always known I wanted to be a writer? No, but I’ve been a voracious reader my entire life. Nothing thrilled me more than getting…

signature
Post Views: 2,584

Related

Comments

  1. chrissy50 says

    August 17, 2012 at 5:40 pm

    This was so touching to my heart. Thank you for sharing a piece of Mari with me. I know she will always be with you.
    hugs,
    Chris S.

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      August 17, 2012 at 8:41 pm

      Thank you Chris for you very kind, sweet words. I’m glad I am able to share my inner most feelings with others and somehow my words touch people.

  2. sandigrace says

    August 18, 2012 at 2:12 am

    This is one of your best-written posts, I think. And it is very precious. I love how you said, “Sometimes I wonder what God was doing when He chose me but then at the same time I know He knew what He was doing.” That’s the hardest part, I believe; trusting Him to do what He knows will bring Him glory and eternally impact the hearts of those around us. I love how your bittersweet memories are soothed by your trust in God.

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      August 19, 2012 at 4:31 pm

      Sandi, thank you so much for your beautifully written comments. I so appreciate it and they mean so much to me.

  3. Jack Brown says

    August 18, 2012 at 3:53 am

    biiiiiiiiiiiiig hug

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      August 19, 2012 at 4:31 pm

      Jack, thank you for the hug. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} back at ya.

  4. Terrie says

    August 18, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    Thank you for sharing your bittersweet memories with us. I thank God for this wonderful gift of memory, something so special that we can relive special moments knowing our life has touched another and has special meaning. Peace and Blessings

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      August 19, 2012 at 4:33 pm

      Terrie, you are so right. I think we all have some kind of memories that make us happy yet sad at the same time. It is through the grace of God that we are able to find the peace we need to be able to see the good in everything.

  5. Heather C. King says

    August 18, 2012 at 10:20 pm

    It’s so hard to recall the bittersweet memories and the ones that are hard, and yet they are part of us just the same, make us who we are, and help us help others in the present.

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      August 19, 2012 at 4:34 pm

      Heather, you are so right. It is what shapes us and makes us into the person we are each and every day of our lives.

  6. Carol Peterson says

    August 20, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Thank you for this post, Kristena. I loved your comment about being blessed to have been chosen to be Mari’s mother. Very, very sweet. God bless you.

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      August 20, 2012 at 10:54 am

      Carol, and I thank you for you kind words. They are so appreciated.

  7. Traci B says

    September 3, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    The Bible says we can comfort others with the same comfort God uses to comfort us. Not only are your memories a comfort to you because they keep Mari alive in your heart, but they also can minister comfort to others who have lost a child. May your ministry continue to be blessed.

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      September 3, 2012 at 7:30 pm

      Traci, thank you so very much for your kind words. My hope is the same that God will continue to bless the words coming out of my mouth to be able to touch others.

  8. Tracy Krauss says

    September 16, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    I can feel your heart coming through this post. Blessings as you continue to honor both your daughter and God.

    • Mommy's Angel In Heaven says

      September 29, 2012 at 11:00 pm

      Tracy, thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them so much.

Site Archives

  • ►2020 (6)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2018 (4)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►July (2)
  • ►2017 (15)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►March (4)
  • ►2016 (11)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►February (9)
  • ►2015 (22)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (5)
    • ►October (3)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (5)
  • ►2014 (221)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (6)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (28)
    • ►May (15)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (34)
    • ►February (30)
    • ►January (35)
  • ►2013 (346)
    • ►December (34)
    • ►November (28)
    • ►October (50)
    • ►September (53)
    • ►August (22)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (31)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (31)
    • ►February (28)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2012 (82)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (15)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (3)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2011 (46)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (6)
    • ►February (7)
    • ►January (19)
  • ►2010 (43)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (2)
    • ►September (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (5)
    • ►January (3)
  • ►2009 (49)
    • ►December (5)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►July (2)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (7)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2008 (34)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (15)
    • ►October (8)
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Twitter
My Tweets
Follow @MommysAngelHeav
  • Archives
  • Categories
  • Tags
Archives
  • ►2020 (6)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (1)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2019 (1)
    • ►March (1)
  • ►2018 (4)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►July (2)
  • ►2017 (15)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►March (4)
  • ►2016 (11)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►February (9)
  • ►2015 (22)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (5)
    • ►October (3)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (3)
    • ►January (5)
  • ►2014 (221)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (6)
    • ►October (4)
    • ►September (3)
    • ►August (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (28)
    • ►May (15)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (34)
    • ►February (30)
    • ►January (35)
  • ►2013 (346)
    • ►December (34)
    • ►November (28)
    • ►October (50)
    • ►September (53)
    • ►August (22)
    • ►June (11)
    • ►May (31)
    • ►April (56)
    • ►March (31)
    • ►February (28)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2012 (82)
    • ►December (6)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►August (11)
    • ►July (15)
    • ►June (9)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (3)
    • ►March (11)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (2)
  • ►2011 (46)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►June (3)
    • ►May (9)
    • ►April (1)
    • ►March (6)
    • ►February (7)
    • ►January (19)
  • ►2010 (43)
    • ►December (1)
    • ►November (1)
    • ►October (2)
    • ►September (1)
    • ►July (3)
    • ►June (12)
    • ►May (10)
    • ►April (2)
    • ►March (3)
    • ►February (5)
    • ►January (3)
  • ►2009 (49)
    • ►December (5)
    • ►November (2)
    • ►October (1)
    • ►September (4)
    • ►July (2)
    • ►June (1)
    • ►May (4)
    • ►April (7)
    • ►March (4)
    • ►February (9)
    • ►January (10)
  • ►2008 (34)
    • ►December (11)
    • ►November (15)
    • ►October (8)
Categories
  • ►About Books… (22)
    • ►Book – The Unknown Door (3)
    • ►Book Reviews (5)
    • ►Featured Books (14)
  • ►Announcements (2)
  • ►Featured Posts (8)
  • ►Holidays (39)
    • ►4th of July (5)
    • ►Birthdays (6)
    • ►Christmas (6)
    • ►Easter (1)
    • ►Father’s Day (1)
    • ►Memorial Day (1)
    • ►Mother’s Day (4)
    • ►New Year’s (2)
    • ►Tax Time (1)
    • ►Thanksgiving (4)
    • ►Valentine’s Day (1)
    • ►Wedding Anniversary (6)
  • ►Interviews (2)
  • ►Miscellaneous (1)
  • ►Miscellaneous (6)
    • ►VotD (1)
  • ▼Mommys Angel in Heaven (246)
    • ►Featured Posts mommys (2)
    • ►Multimedia moms mommys (1)
      • ►Videos mommys (1)
    • ►My Writing mommys (10)
      • ►In Response mommys (1)
      • ►In The Moment mommys (4)
      • ►Monthly Blog Chain mommys (1)
      • ►Reflection mommys (2)
      • ►Stories mommys (1)
        • ►Nonfiction mommys (1)
    • We Miss Her So Much...
    • Tomorrow...
    • Time...
    • What does the word Mariana mean?
    • I Will Always Remember Mari…
    • Mommy's Dream
    • Memories...
    • Mari's World - Can You Just Imagine
    • Friendship at its best
    • Keith's Retirement
    • Loneliness, how it must feel
    • My Thoughts
    • Mari's Spirit
    • Communication, How Hard Is It Really?
    • 4 Months...
    • True Friendship
    • Army Drill Team
    • The holidays...
    • Stop and Think
    • Today...
    • What if I could have what I wanted
    • Letter from Heaven
    • A tribute from a very special teacher
    • A Dedication to Mariana
    • A Dedication to My Other Half
    • Praise You In This Storm
    • A Poem to Mari
    • Mari's Song
    • On our way to Hawaii
    • Time and How Precious It Really Is
    • A tribute to Mariana
    • Back from Hawaii
    • Mari's 9th birthday was today
    • T'was the Night Before Our Lives Changed
    • Our Angel In Heaven
    • Went to see Movie, It's wasn't supposed to be sad
    • Thank you for reading and listening...
    • What do you say to someone who has lost a child?
    • 6 months have come and gone
    • Sitting Here Dazed and Confused
    • Suddenly and Out of the Blue, It Hits You
    • Remembering Mari, how sweet it really is!!
    • Thoughts...
    • Preacakes
    • Posting Comments and To Those Who Care
    • Two Weeks and Two Days
    • The Value of a Mom’s Tears (or Dad's)
    • Can Two People Really Grieve That Differently?
    • 8 Months Have Come and Gone
    • Wonder and Confusion For What Life Brings Us
    • Mari's Crayons
    • Music of the Heart
    • To The Love Of My Life - married 15 years February 18
    • T'was the Night Before Our Lives Changed
    • Life In General...
    • Today is 8 months
    • Today has been a day
    • Marie’s Unrealized Dream
    • Loneliness
    • Comments and Feedback
    • Missing her...
    • Sitting in class...
    • How am I supposed to live my life without her?
    • "Held"...
    • Pictures...
    • Shopping...
    • It's coming...
    • Mother's Day is Here
    • Approaching 11 months…
    • A Mother’s Love Never Fades
    • When We Think of 4th of July
    • Time Keeps on Treking
    • Thinking about Mari
    • Justing Sitting Here...
    • Mariana: A Personality Exuded
    • The Unexpected Journey
    • T'was the Night Before Our Lives Changed
    • Thanksgiving
    • Bad Days They Come and Go
    • The One
    • Contemplating Christmas
    • HER FINAL DAY
    • Did you know that Angels are among us?
    • Mari's Hospital Story
    • Touching Souls Bereavement Photography
    • That Hideous Doctrine by John Thomas
    • 16 Years of Wedded Bliss, Could Anyone Ask For Anything More
    • To Feel Lucky...
    • The days, months, and years to come
    • Talking from the heart...
    • That Empty Spot
    • It's that time of year...
    • The dreaded deed has been done
    • Paperwork Junkies
    • Changes
    • I Died
    • Moving Time...
    • Mari's Dress
    • Just sitting here thinking
    • Love The One Your With
    • Iris and Kristena
    • It's time to get in shape
    • Strength…
    • To Lose Weight or Not To Lose Weight: That is the Question
    • Then it hits ya
    • Memorial Day
    • It Happens At the Strangest Time
    • Do you have any kids?
    • How quickly time flies before we realize...
    • New Page Added: Blogroll
    • Updated: Polls page
    • New Pages Added: Her Hospital Story
    • When life throws you a curve ball (man, all I wanted was a fast one :) )
    • Julie and Sylvia
    • New features added you will enjoy
    • Revamped our Guestbook
    • The Start of a New Day
    • July Sucks!
    • Tangible Things
    • Sitting here thinking...
    • Facebook...
    • An update...
    • Jackie Evancho
    • Driving...
    • several entries coming...
    • The struggles of life...
    • Unchoices
    • Marriage
    • Work at Walmart
    • Unfinished...
    • Harder to write these days...
    • "Out of these ashes beauty will rise"
    • Missing her...
    • Playing Games
    • Missing the imporant moments
    • The magic of love
    • Justin Bieber
    • Singing...
    • Find a new church home
    • Writing through tragedy
    • Seeing Mari again
    • Rules aren't meant to be followed right?!?!
    • Grateful for the little things in life
    • Winter
    • Keith's 40th
    • Super Bowl Sunday
    • Going on Business
    • Not again...
    • He's back...
    • I'm still amazed...
    • Mari's Book is Done
    • The Waiting Game
    • Women's Retreat first entry
    • Women's Retreat second entry
    • Women's Retreat third entry
    • Moments
    • Mari's book
    • Missing Her...
    • I am needing help...
    • The Tears of Mother's Day
    • A Special Sneak Peak
    • Updated chapters 1 & 2
    • New Possible Book Cover
    • Please let me know which book cover you like best
    • Updated the first couple of chapters
    • Moving forward with the book
    • Just sitting here thinking...
    • Life's Moments...
    • Changes in life...
    • Life's moments and other things...
    • Having Kids
    • Old and New
    • Things that happen
    • Exciting Times
    • Reflecting...
    • A Mother's Love
    • What does the word "savior" mean to you?
    • Monthly Blog Chain
    • Today kind of sucked for me
    • The innocence of a child
    • A hole in your heart
    • Becoming a Writer
    • Remember back...
    • Giving your life over
    • This Year's Ladies Retreat in Gatlinburg
    • What do we have to be thankful for?
    • It's kind of amazing...
    • Savoring every moment
    • You just never know...
    • The Unexpected Journey - Revised
    • Joy
    • Happiness
    • Writing Fiction
    • Having Pain...
    • What does it mean to nurture?
    • Needing prayer please
    • Hitting "The Mark"
    • Being Thankful
    • It's been 4 years...
    • A slight change to my fundraising
    • Memory, the good, the bad, and the bittersweet
    • Unexpected turns in the road...
    • Reflecting on Mari's posts...
    • Sitting here thinking
    • All in a picture
    • A Sad Day
    • "Oh that won't happen to me"
    • Special Unforgettable Moments
    • Something New (and hopefully exciting): A 365 Day Journey
    • Day 1: Switchbacks up the Mountain
    • Timing...
    • Day 2: Sacred Space
    • Day 3: The Holy Calling
    • Day 4: Choosing Story Over Relatives
    • Day 5: Getting Caught
    • Day 6: Daring to Tell
    • Day 7: Jumping Off
    • Day 8: The Voice that Chirps and Chirps
    • Day 9: Getting Permission
    • Day 10: Working Out
    • Day 11: Racing Hearts and Churning Stomachs
    • Day 12: Patience
    • Day 13: The Matanuska Valley and Other Diversions
    • Day 14: Waiting for Pizza
    • Day 15: People in a Jam
    • Day 16: Exploding Typewriters, Smoking Computers
    • Day 17: Love Thy Reader
    • 19 Years Today
    • Day 18: Your Validation Posse
    • Day 19: The Five Characteristics of Good Writing
    • Day 20: Naked in the Hallway
    • KLove on the brain...
    • Our Father's Love
  • ►Multimedia (20)
    • ►Photos (4)
    • ►Slideshow (2)
    • ►Videos (12)
      • ►YouTube (7)
  • ►My Journeys (306)
    • ►365 Day Writing Journey (152)
    • ►A to Z Challenge (68)
    • ►A to Z Challenge mommys (30)
    • ►NaBloPoMo (56)
  • ▼My Writing (551)
    • ►365 Days (185)
    • ►Bible Study Quiet Time (93)
      • ►Jen Hatmaker (42)
        • ►A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study (21)
      • ►Priscilla Shirer (2)
        • ►The Armor of God (1)
    • ►In Response (37)
    • ►In The Moment (149)
    • ▼Monthly Blog Chain (3)
      • Savoring every moment
      • Pursuing true happiness, I mean joy
      • Memory, the good, the bad, and the bittersweet
    • ►My Journeys (2)
    • ►Reflection (68)
    • ►S.H.E. Time (2)
    • ►Time (6)
    • Tomorrow...
    • Time...
    • What does the word Mariana mean?
    • Mari's Hospital Story
    • several entries coming...
    • Women's Retreat third entry
    • I am needing help...
    • Updated chapters 1 & 2
    • New Possible Book Cover
    • Please let me know which book cover you like best
    • Updated the first couple of chapters
    • Moving forward with the book
    • Just sitting here thinking...
    • Life's Moments...
    • Life's moments and other things...
    • Old and New
    • Things that happen
    • Reflecting...
    • Mari's Special Video
    • A Mother's Love
    • What does the word "savior" mean to you?
    • Monthly Blog Chain
    • A hole in your heart
    • The Unexpected Journey - Revised
    • Special Unforgettable Moments
    • On a temporary break
    • Was or Is?
    • Loss… Then Blessings Abound… #believer #blessings #beyondgrateful
  • ►Other Site Authors (2)
    • ►Clever Girl (1)
    • ►Mari’s Teacher Mrs. A. (1)
  • ►Poetry (32)
    • ►Athena’s (1)
    • ►Free Form (11)
    • ►Rhyming (7)
  • ►Songs (13)
    • ►Lyrics (6)
    • ►Music (5)
  • ►Stories (16)
    • ►Fictional (4)
    • ►Nonfiction (9)
  • ►The Journey (75)
  • ►Websites (3)
  • ►Writing (42)