I was all set to go to bed when something told me to open my Migi's Corner email. And true enough, my son who now lives forever with his Father in heaven had a surprise waiting for me...

For those of you reading this who do not know my history, Migi was my four year old son who passed away on June 3, 1998 from complications arising from an open heart surgery. Migi's Corner is the foundation that we set up in his memory. The foundation's mission is to improve and uplift the living conditions of children confined in the charity wards of our government hospitals. The first corner was set up in 1999 on the eve of what would have been his fifth birthday, at the Philippine Heart Center. Todate there are 13 Migi's Corners all over the Philippines.

I digress...

Each year, for many years now, as Migi's angel date approaches, somehow, God always manages to send me a message. This year is no different. As I opened my Migi's Corner email (migiscorner@gmail.com)which I had not opened in he last three months... I was met by an email from a former Theology teacher from Miriam College. Maricel wrote to say that she was now based in Norway and on one of her quiet times, using YouTube (I found this funny when I first read it but hey, never discount God's humor...) she had "stumbled" upon a video that featured Migi's Corner! So she sent me the link of the Migi's Corner Video and I clicked on it. True enough, it was a beautiful MTV of Bukas Palad singer Laine Laudico-Santana singing the lilting and comforting song "All Shall Be Well". The coincidence doesn't stop there, Laine happens to be a very good friend who has been supportive of Migi's Corner all these years. I'm not sure if she forgot to tell me about the video or that she did not know about it since she was not filled at the corner itself. I plan to ask her about it this week-end.

More meaningful though is the message of Laine's song with lyrics by Fr. Johnny Go and Manoling Francisco S.J. especially at this time of the year.

"Broken wings that cannot mend
Are we afraid to dream again?
Our days are full of passing faces
Our hearts are bruised in many places,
Yet all shall be well, shall be well
You'll see all shall soon be well...

I know you'll see through all the pain and sadness
All things, all men, all the world
All shall be well.
Shall be well.

It's not the end, you'll dream again
I know you'll see, believe in ME
All shall soon be well.

When there are no rainbows
after the rain
And there isn't freedom from the pain
I know that in time you will see
Believe in ME, all shall soon be well."

What greater comfort can a mother receive in the days leading to one of the saddest days in her life? Yes, truly God works in comforting and wonderful ways, and on this, Mig's 9th angel date, I can say with much faith, that yes, God is good and all is well.

Please click on the link I provided above, or view the video down here to appreciate the message of the song and why the visuals are so meaningful to me and the work that we have done with Migi's Corner over the last eight years.

Life is a series of losses, and mutiple losses will extend your grief journey. Past losses can include the deaths of loved ones and pets, job displacement, the loss of a home, and friends and family moving away. Less tamgible losses include not being chosen for a particular project or committee and missing out on special events. If you have not dealt with these losses, you may have feelings of regret or sadness that will affect how you grieve your current loss.

"The old losses actually contaminate, intesify, and complicate this new loss," says Dr. H. Norman Wright.

Once you understand that you are experiencing multiple losses, you will be better prepared for the depth and the different facets of grief that may have been confusing at first. The Bible shows that understanding can lead to peace. Understanding your grieving process will help keep you moving forward and not backward. Be prepared to grieve all your losses on this journey.

"I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

You , almighty Lord, are my Overcomer. Equip me to face life's struggles while resting securely in Your victory and love. Amen.

- From Through a Season of Grief, Devotions for your journey from mourning to joy by Bill Dunn and Kathy Leonard

For I will turn their mourning into joy - Jeremiah 31:13

When you lose so many people in your life, somehow or another, you become like a poster girl for grief. Other people would dread the title but it is something that I have taken in stride. Through my losses, I have found my life's purpose and God's mission for me here on earth. This is the reason behind this third, and most recent blog and a new ministry that God has directed my husband and me into.

On November 18, 2006, my husband H and I will launch Griefshare at the Greenhills Christian Fellowship in Ortigas. Griefshare is a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close. If you've lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you've probably found that there are not many peopl who understand the depth of what you feel.

Griefshare is sponsored by people who understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement during a very difficult time. Sessions are held every Saturday, beginning November 18, from 2-4PM. Each Griefshare meeting includes a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery subjects. Small group discussions about what you have seen on the DVD and interaction with others who have experienced recent similar losses are part of each meeting. Topics to be tackled are the following : The Emotions of Grief, Your Family and Grief, Where is God?, Stuck in Grief Or Moving On, Growing Through Grief, Grief Recovery Tool Kit, and many more.

For those of you interested to join Griefshare or know of people who may benefit from the seminar, please email me at griefisajourney@gmail.com or text 918-906-8852 to sign up and find out more information on the program. Griefshare is a non-denominational group and features biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics.

Please feel free to check on this blog regularly for grief related topics. If you are currently experiencing a loss and there are issues or questions you may have on loss or grief and feel that you need help, please feel free to email me at the address above or post a question on this site. Prayer requests are most welcome too.