Lord.....Hold My Hand

By Rosane Marazzi

When sudden loss strikes, we can be left stunned and broken, especially when that loss is of a child. What happens when dealing with this death seems too overwhelming? Too formidable? Can hope penetrate such deep wounds?

In these journal entries, a mother details her most bare and intimate thoughts as she describes the struggles of dealing with loss and ultimately the hope that was found waiting for her through Gods faithfulness and sovereignty. Despite our confusion, God has a plan for healing.

In a story of real pain and trials, real joy emerges still. Comfort is found within the arms of the Great Comforter, in a God that is big enough, bigger than death even, to provide healing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449783488

Rosane Marazzi

Rosane Marazzi originally studied geography in Brazil and then became a teacher for students with disabilities. Since moving to the States nearly thirty years ago, she has been running a daycare center, where she teaches the children sign language as well. Marazzi is a mother of two, her daughter, Melissa, and her son, Marcelo, who is now in heaven and the reason for this book.

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Lord.....Hold My Hand

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Rosane Marazzi

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Copyright © 2013 Rosane Marazzi.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked AMP are from the Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV 1984 are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8347-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8348-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013901642

WestBow Press rev. date: 2/4/2013

Contents

Thank-You Notes

Journal Entries

Entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

Entry 4

Entry 5

Entry 6

Entry 7

Entry 8

Entry 9

Entry 10

Entry 11

Entry 12

Entry 13

Entry 14

Entry 15

Entry 16

Entry 17

Entry 18

Entry 19

Entry 20

Entry 21

Entry 22

Entry 23

Entry 24

Entry 26

Entry 27

Entry 28

Entry 29

Entry 30

Entry 40

Entry 41

Entry 42

Entry 43

Entry

Entry 44

Entry 45

Entry 46

Entry 47

Entry 48

Entry 49

Entry 50

Entry 51

Entry 52

Entry 53

Entry 54

Entry 55

Entry 56

Entry 57

Entry 58

Entry 59

Entry 60

Entry 61

Entry 62

Entry 63

Entry 64

Entry 65

Entry 66

Entry 67

Entry 68

Entry 69

Entry 70

Entry 71

Entry 72

Entry 73

Entry 74

Entry 75

Entry 76

Entry 77

Entry 78

Entry 79

Entry 80

Entry 81

Entry 82

Entry 82

Entry 83

Entry 84

Entry 85

Entry 86

Entry 87

Entry 88

Entry 89

Entry 90

Entry 91

Entry 92

Entry 93

Entry 94

Entry 95

Entry 96

Entry 97

Entry 98

Entry 99

Entry 100

Entry 101

Daniel’s Reflection

About the Author

In Memory

Of

Marcelo

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Birth: June 29, 1987

Death: April 18, 2008

I did not know how to start … but I am doing it …

This is a journal. It is special and unique. It is about a mother’s real feelings, sorrow, and pain. These are the reasons that I wrote this book:

1. To help one mother with the loss of a child.

2. To honor my dear, handsome, dark-haired, green-eyed son, Marcelo.

My deep love for Marcelo (Celo) will be forever. I hope that this book will be available in every place our heavenly Father would like it to be.

I believe

I believe there is a moment and purpose for everyone. Though Marcelo’s purpose on earth was very short, we all miss him, and he will always be remembered. I believe we have a purpose in this life. Mine is to persevere and learn how to live around my pain. I’m like a butterfly. They struggle to be free. When they are in the cocoon, they need to struggle to develop the muscles to fly. I feel my struggle deeply, but maybe one day I will fly too.

I feel this strong pain every day—the pain of missing him—but I am growing through my suffering each day. When I think of him, I think of being here for Melissa and Al and my dogs. This has been a hard lesson to learn, but it is something I must do to grow spiritually. Even through everything, I know God is giving me His mercy: Al is cancer-free (Thank You, Lord), and Melissa is my reason to live, and I’m proud of how she is building her life. Her foundation in faith is strong: she knows God is our Rock and that He is always in control.

Marcelo is now spiritually around us, but I miss him physically. I believe this is part of the grieving process. Grief teaches us many things. The most important, though, for me is not to give up.

These are the experiences of my journey and my grieving process.

In memory of Marcelo

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did this sinful world

As it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

If I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

And supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen

Thank-You Notes

We have many special friends and relatives. They did and they still do touch our hearts during our heaviest moments. Their caring love helps us and supports us in many ways.

To my special friend Jean; she was and is still very patient with me. To Yolanda, my gift friend; she held my broken heart with patience and many times held my hand. She is my mentor and helped me with this book. Patricia, Yolanda’s sister, with her kindness made our friendship grow stronger in the light. Eliane, my sister, and Rita, my sister-in-law, both came like a flash the morning after my biggest loss. Eliane and my brother-in-law, Fernando, have always been a constant support, sustaining me with their spiritual strength. My brother, Paulo, and his wife, Rita, listened many times to