💜 THEY DID EXIST! LET'S SAY THEIR NAMES! 💜Our Loved Ones Are More Than a Memory — They Are Forever Part of Our Story.

💜 THEY DID EXIST! LET'S SAY THEIR NAMES! 💜

Our Loved Ones Are More Than a Memory — They Are Forever Part of Our Story.

Good morning, sweet friends! 💜

As I sit here this morning with my coffee, something is weighing on my heart, and I want to share it with all of you.

Our loved ones existed. They lived. They laughed. They loved. They had dreams, personalities, favorite things, and beautiful stories. And they deserve to be remembered!

Sometimes, after we lose someone precious, it feels as though the world slowly stops talking about them.

Their names aren't mentioned as often.

Their pictures aren't shared.

Their birthdays pass quietly.

And sometimes we find ourselves wishing someone would simply say their name.

Oh, sweet friends, I want you to know something.

I WANT TO HEAR THEIR NAMES!

I want to hear about your children, your husbands, your wives, your mommas, your daddies, your brothers, your sisters, your grandparents, and your precious friends.

I want to know who they were.

What made them laugh?

What did they love to do?

What is one beautiful memory you carry in your heart?

Because they were here. Their lives mattered, and they still matter to those who love them.

💙 This Is My Precious Son, Michael Anthony Monson

June 10, 1996 – October 12, 2019

My sweet Michael was born on June 10, 1996, and on October 12, 2019, his life was tragically taken through murder.

He was only 23 years old.

Forever 23. Forever my boy. Forever loved.

There is not a single day that goes by that I don't think about my son.

I miss him so, so much.

I miss his smile.

I miss his voice.

I miss the conversations we will never get to have.

I miss the future I thought he would have.

And oh, how this Momma wishes she could wrap her arms around him just one more time.

I have lost so many precious people throughout my life, and each one holds a special place in my heart.

But losing my child changed me in ways that words cannot fully explain.

Even after seven years, I am still Michael's Momma, and I always will be.

Yet through all the heartache, I am so thankful to God for the 23 years I was blessed to have my son.

Twenty-three years of loving him.

Twenty-three years of memories.

Twenty-three years of being his Momma.

Would I have loved more time? Oh, absolutely! A thousand times yes!

But I will forever be grateful that I got to love him and call him my son.

And I refuse to let the tragedy of how he died become the only thing people remember about how he lived.

Michael was here. Michael was loved. Michael mattered. And Michael will never be forgotten. 💙

✝️ God's Word Reminds Us

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." — Philippians 1:3 (KJV)

What a beautiful reminder that we can thank God for the precious lives that have touched our hearts.

We don't have to stop speaking their names.

We don't have to put away every photograph.

We don't have to pretend they weren't part of our lives simply because they're no longer physically here.

And we certainly don't have to apologize for loving and missing them.

Grief is not something we simply get over.

We learn to carry the love and memories with us as we continue walking through life.

Some days we smile when we remember.

Other days we cry.

And sometimes we do both.

That is what happens when someone has left a lasting imprint upon our hearts.

🌷 Today, I Want to Celebrate Their Lives With You!

This is a special invitation to everyone in our grief support family.

PLEASE SAY THEIR NAMES! 💜

Share their name in the comments.

Tell us when they were born.

Tell us something wonderful about them.

Share a favorite memory, a funny story, or something that made them special.

And if you would like to share a photograph of your loved one, that would be absolutely wonderful! 📷💜

I would be honored to see their faces and learn a little about the precious people you carry in your hearts.

Whether your loved one passed away yesterday, five years ago, twenty years ago, or even longer, they are welcome to be remembered here.

There is no expiration date on love.

And there is no expiration date on missing someone.

🙏 A Prayer for Our Grieving Hearts

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the precious people You have allowed us to love.

Thank You for their lives, their laughter, their smiles, and the beautiful memories we carry.

Lord, You know how deeply we miss them.

You know the tears we cry when nobody is watching.

You know the birthdays, holidays, and ordinary days when we wish they were still beside us.

Father, today I ask You to comfort every grieving heart.

Help us remember our loved ones with gratitude, even when those memories bring tears.

Help us speak their names without fear.

Help us share their stories so their lives continue to be remembered.

And Lord, please remind every grieving mother, father, husband, wife, child, sibling, and friend that they do not have to walk this journey alone.

Thank You for the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Thank You for Your mercy and Your unfailing love.

And thank You for being near to the brokenhearted.

In Jesus' precious and holy Name,

Amen. 💜

💜 LET'S FILL THE COMMENTS WITH LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE!

I'll begin.

My precious son, Michael Anthony Monson.

💙 Born June 10, 1996💙 Taken from us October 12, 2019💙 Forever 23💙 Forever my son💙 Forever loved and missed

Now it's your turn, sweet friends.

Who are you remembering today?

Say their name. Share their story. Post their picture if you feel comfortable.

Let's remind one another that our loved ones were here, their lives had meaning, and their memories will always be precious.

Because they existed. Because they mattered. Because love doesn't end when a life does.

With love and prayers,

Agape Love Ministry 💜Serving Others Through Faith, Hope, and Love

Anchored in Christ Through LossHearts Held in Hope — Grief Support of Wilkes County

We remember them. We honor them. We speak their names. 💜