The Dillard Family

💔I took these pictures a year ago this week.

This week & next week mark several 1st year anniversaries surrounding the second trimester loss of our little girl, Isla Marie.

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I had hoped to share more baby bump pictures last year to celebrate our new little one, but her time here on earth was cut far too short.

Loss is hard. And people trying to comfort sometimes don’t even know how to handle it or what to say. We can all get it wrong sometimes. There isn’t a quick fix. Often the most comforting words are the simplest ones like, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” or “Thinking of you today and praying for you.”

I’ve heard it said that navigating grief and loss can sometimes be like learning to live with an amputation…the pain of loss doesn’t ever go away, you just learn to live with it. But the process to adapt can be grueling. And, might I add…it can take lots of time, prayer, tears, support & help to get there.

We aren’t there yet. We are still hurting. We are still processing. And we are thankful for the support from so many. Anniversaries are hard. Healing is hard. It’s all hard. Sometimes life here on earth just plain sucks and gives us a deeper longing for eternity.

I put these sticky notes on my kitchen cabinets not long after losing Isla and I’ve kept them up because I need to remind myself of God’s word and choose to speak and read His truth to myself during the hard times. Jesus didn’t promise life would be easy, but He promised he would be with us always. And he promises that one day he will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

Right now I’m choosing to be thankful for our little tribe of sweet boys we get to raise here on earth while trusting that Jesus has our two heavenly babies safe in his arms as they explore the wonders of heaven together.

💞Have you lost someone close to you? What has helped you process loss and remember them here on earth?

#miscarriage #pregnancylossawareness #islamariedillard #babygirldillard #safeinthearmsofjesus #angelbabies #riverblissdillard

🥳HBD today to my bff forever @derickdillard 😘 Always so grateful that God brought us together! Thanks for loving and leading so well! 💕
#cheerstoanotheryear #yourestillolderthanme #36looksgoodonyou #happybirthday #hbd

💙 love my boys
#boymomx3

🎶These are a few of my favorite things…☺️💗