Last Updated on March 11, 2024

On June 13, 2008, our daughter and her husband welcomed their first baby into this world. But it was not what any of us expected. Sweet Molly, who was full term with a normal delivery, was born with an aneurysm in her brain and would not live. One week after her birthday, she left all of us for the safety and joy of heaven. And we were changed by her life. After the funeral, a friend gave Rebecca and Jacob a quote that spoke of a grave simply as a doorway to more accurately describe the passage from one world to another. And so in the post below, you will read Rebecca’s thoughts on her baby girl’s third birthday and a visit to Molly’s doorway.

And if you want to read the entire story of Molly’s seven days of life, Rebecca and I wrote about her in a short book called A Symphony in the Dark. That one so small could change so many is only part of her story. It would be a good gift for other moms you know who have lost babies at birth, to SIDS, or by miscarriage.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Molly!

Precious girl,
How is that three years have flown by already? I am so thankful that my memories of you are still so fresh and clear. I remember all the moments of holding you in my arms, feeling your little chest rise and fall with each breath, and kissing your sweet skin from top to bottom.

Yesterday I visited your doorway with several close girlfriends. It was truly a wonderful time, remembering you in various ways, and feeling so proud of you for the way you continue to touch many lives in such a profound way. It is true that one day our bodies will fail, and God will beckon us to his throne, calling us to leave behind this fragile world. And when we do go Home, we leave behind us a legacy. You, my precious daughter, have left quite the legacy. You have brought so many to feet of Jesus. You have taught others what it means to enjoy each and every moment we are given, for it may be the last. You have been embraced by so many, even those we will never meet this side of heaven. Molly, you have shown your mom and dad what it means to build our foundation on Jesus Christ.

 

[verse reference=”Matthew 7:24–27″]Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.[/verse]

I cannot and do not ever want to imagine what it would be like to walk through grief and not know our Savior Jesus. What a tragedy, and what hope would I have? None. And yet I can only pray that those who do not know Jesus would come to know him through grief and be changed forever.

Molly, thank you for showing us to the feet of Jesus, for giving us a renewed perspective on our relationship with the Lord and how we cannot do this life alone. I miss my sweet girl so very much! I wish I could hold you in my lap and read you a bedtime story, tucking you into bed and kissing you on your sweet cheeks. I cannot wait till one day, not too far from now, when I will be called home as you were and when I will no longer shed tears of pain and sorrow. I will not be able to stand on my feet but will be collapsing to the ground as I open my arms and watch you run with joy toward me! Your laughter, your smile, your joy, your precious heart! I cannot wait to hear you, see you, and feel you all over again!! What a reunion it will be! I cannot wait!

Until then, I love you so much!

Mommy

Mother and daughter tell this unforgettable, inspirational story of how a lovingly-anticipated baby was born and given just seven days to live. With candid intimacy they share how two families:

Met bad news with faith

Pulled together instead of apart

Learned how (and how not to) enter into grief

Celebrated the moments and memories, and

Found the hope of heaven

Stirring and affecting, the story of Molly Ann Mutz reminds readers that even the tiniest, most fragile life, regardless of how brief, matters—and how its strains linger and lift one from darkness into an Everlasting Song of beauty, hope, and redemption.

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One Comment

  1. Awww happy birthday Molly! Many blessings to you and your family!

    ~Be inspired!