Happy Fathers Day
Yesterday was Fathers Day in NZ and Australia. Â We didn’t celebrate Fathers Day in the US this year, we had hoped Aria would be better and off the vent to enjoy celebrating her daddy perhaps in time for NZ fathers day. Â Sadly she died the very next day.
Both days have been very difficult for Hamish, a devoted dad who cared very deeply for his little girl. Â Hamish was there every night with Aria, often getting little sleep. Â He loved spending time with her and she with him. Â There is simply nothing, apart from God more important to Hamish than his family. Â He gave up his job and life to care for Aria, supported by a society allowing him to do so freely.
We sang a song last night at church it’s first verse was this ‘How deep the Fathers love for us, How vast beyond all measure’ Â All day I had been thinking of Hamish’s love for Aria and grieving for his loss. Â All week I had been struggling with God’s love for me- if He loved me why did he take something so precious to me?
Of course I have no answer to that question and probably never will, not in this lifetime. Â But if a human can love a child like Hamish did Aria then I know God must love me 1000 times more. Â And maybe the true love of a parent is to want and need your child to be in heaven with God and know that the burden of this world is over for them. God did the right thing by her and our family. But our hurting hearts still have a lot of healing to do.
We miss her. She is smiling in that photo by the way! It’s an Aria smile.
25 Responses to “Happy Fathers Day”
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# 5 Sep at 12:20 am
May the Lord continue to comfort you all, as you grieve for your precious Angel. She was a real inspiration to so many people.
# 5 Sep at 12:24 am
Aria has a beautiful smile 🙂
Happy fathers day Hamish, i’m sorry that you guys only got to spend the day with one of your children here on earth. <3<3<3
# 5 Sep at 12:24 am
They were mean’t to be hearts. <3
# 5 Sep at 12:28 am
That song chokes me up every time! I’ve always thought about how much it must hurt God too, your loss of Aria. He’s a parent who knows what you are going through because his own son died on the cross, and because he would also feel your loss of Aria. It must be hard to see us experience grief because it sure is hard going through it.
Thinking of you guys, and Hamish especially at this time, and of Aria too (man that’s some clever writing there!!).
# 5 Sep at 12:35 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you continue to rebuild your lives. We think and talk about little Aria often. We never knew her except through your writing and photo’s – we loved her too – all the way from SA. Be blessed xxx
# 5 Sep at 12:47 am
Oh your picture of Aria brought both a smile and tears. What a beautiful tribute to a devoted daddy. You are all always in my thoughts and prayers. xxx
# 5 Sep at 12:50 am
There are a few song at church that send me into tears and that is one of them. I think sometimes the answers to our questions why are never answered till much later on. One person told me that for her it clicked when she realised that loosing her daughter made the love god has for us more significant because there is an opposite. Push deeper into him. xx
# 5 Sep at 1:22 am
Such a beautiful smile from your little Princess when she must have been so uncomfortable. Now rejoice with God that she is whole again and pain free.Praying for you all in His name, Judy.
# 5 Sep at 1:34 am
oh again she brings me to tears, I miss her being here too xxx Sorry for your huge loss. Love to you all. Your an awesome daddy Hamish xx+
# 5 Sep at 1:46 am
my prayers are with you
HUGS
# 5 Sep at 1:51 am
Tears for you
# 5 Sep at 1:57 am
What a special child you had, to smile through so much pain and suffering. I am really feeling for Hamish and all of you. Love you guys so much.
# 5 Sep at 2:17 am
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Anita. What a hard, hard day for you all, and especially for Hamish. (as opposed to just the hard days…) So many questions have no easy answers, I hope that you can continue to seek the answers you need to find. xxx
# 5 Sep at 4:11 am
My mum died 29 years ago and did I cry on her anniversary? Let yourselves really feel the pain and cry your hearts out, you need to. The pain is always there but in time it will get easier………….go well and take good care ok?
# 5 Sep at 4:42 am
Thank you so much Anita for sharing your lives with us and especially this important day of Hamish’s life with his daughter. I just love the writing on her pad “Aria loves Dad” How touching, thank you for your testimony of love and grace of our dear Dad amen. Yes we all miss her and love her, God bless you all abundantly amen. “HAPPY FATHERS DAY HAMISH”
# 5 Sep at 5:06 am
Thinking of you Hamish. What a wonderful dad you are. XXX
# 5 Sep at 6:44 am
Hamish, you are an incredible dad. Beautiful tribute, Anita. You both love her so well.
# 5 Sep at 12:33 pm
Special days have special meaning to each of us so I pray for Hamish as he has lost his special little angel.God needed her more but I shall never get that sweet smile from my mind As I pray for Hamish, Anita and Asher. What a blessing you all have been to us.Thank you God for letting us share in the journey of this family.
# 5 Sep at 5:20 pm
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. We have also lost children but have been hugely encouraged recently reading “Heaven Is For Real” by Todd Burpo. God bless xxx
# 6 Sep at 3:14 pm
May you all find strength and love in the days & weeks to come, reach out for the stars as Aria will be there reaching out to you, she is one special little angel.
# 7 Sep at 11:51 am
Great pic! And we agree with you, Anita…Hamish certainly demonstrated many times over what a great dad he is! You BOTH are great parents! Love you bunches!
# 8 Sep at 11:01 am
I wish I knew words of great comfort for you! I know this sucks and I wish I could take away your pain! I will continue to pray for you as you grieve, but hope you know you are not alone. We love you guys so much!
# 8 Sep at 2:25 pm
Thoughts and prayers still with you everyday. Praying that God will ease your burden and comfort you daily xxx
# 10 Sep at 10:20 am
Your family is always in my thoughts and prayers! Praying God will continue to comfort you, and ease your pain! God Bless!
# 6 Jun at 9:12 pm
Your article Happy Fathers Day – Aria MacDonald write very well, thank you share!