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Why Am I Mourning?

3/24/2020

9 Comments

 
(by Mike Blanding, father of Mateo)

​Today I wake up with a mind flooded with questions: Is heaven real? Is Mateo there? What is heaven like? Is it perfect? Will I see him again? 

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Will he be older when I see him in heaven, or will he still be a baby? Will I get a second chance to watch him grow up?
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If heaven is truly a place with no suffering, no pain, no hardship, no sickness, and only beauty, joy, and peace, then why am I mourning? Am I sad for his sake that he didn’t get to spend 100 years in an imperfect world? That doesn’t sound right. Am I sad for my sake that I didn’t get to enjoy him in this life? If so, does that make me selfish? If this life only lasts 100 years, and the next life lasts for eternity, then in the grand scheme of things there’s not much to mourn.
 
So instead, today, I will choose to rejoice. Who knows what emotions tomorrow will bring. But for today, I will choose to rejoice. Both for Mateo’s sake and for my sake.
 
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes there will be no more death, sadness, crying or pain. All the old ways are gone.” Revelation 21:4

The #MightyMateo Legacy lives on.
Our little Mateo was highly involved in our efforts to fight online sex trafficking of children in the Philippines during his seven months of life. We believe that he'd love for us to continue this legacy.
Read more here.

9 Comments
Dave Romano
3/24/2020 07:26:31 am

Praying with you my Brother.

Reply
Dee McGeever
3/24/2020 08:09:36 am

Really beautiful, Mike 🙏💕

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Ann Romey
3/24/2020 08:28:25 am

Thanks for sharing this. It's beautiful.

Reply
Tharin
3/24/2020 08:36:19 am

Love you guys, you are loved in return and we will be there for you however you need us to be. Stay safe Mike, Joanna and Andre. ❤️

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Ronnie
3/24/2020 08:41:41 am

Thanks for sharing this Kuya! Prayers up for you and Ate Jo-e 🙏🏼 Love you both.

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Warren Pfohl
3/24/2020 08:49:50 am

Hey Mike,
I just talked with your Mom and Dad on their way home from the hospital. Brenda and I are praying for you and your beautiful family. You will discover that grief will hijack you and your emotions. One moment you are doing fine, the next moment you are reduced to grief so deep all you can do is sob. Please know that the depth of your grief is a reminder of the depth of your love for Mateo. When Brenda and I lost David we clung to the hope and reminder that eternity is right around the corner. Our boys will give us a tour of heaven! I can't wait for that. Have you read any of Randy Alcorn's stuff? We gave a copy of In Light of Eternity to everyone who came to David's Memorial service. It is about heaven. Great book. Feel free to reach out when ever you want. Warren

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Terri Fynch
3/24/2020 03:46:36 pm

None of us know the answers to any of your questions which fills my heart with sorrow. Although my heart is breaking for you my dear friend I will choose to rejoice such a beautiful life with you. If only the meaning of life was clear for each of us. Sending you and Jo all the love, peace and calm I have.

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Neoma Mullens
3/25/2020 06:38:24 am

Praying for your family. Thank you for sharing Mateo with the world. ❤️🙏🏼

Reply
Gino
3/25/2020 07:45:17 am

Heartbreaking. Although there may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning. Here for you,bud! 🙏🏾

Reply



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    #MightyMateo's parents document their journey through grief towards healing.
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    Authors

    Joanna Blanding
    Michael Blanding

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    We Never Intended...Publicly
    We've Said “Goodbye”
    What A Foldable Foam...Easter
    What Is Obedience?
    Where Did Mateo Go...
    Why Am I Mourning?
    Why Does God Allow Suffering?

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