14 years ago on March 21st, Nathan and Melanie’s firstborn daughter arrived, Susannah Joy Maxwell. But her stay here on earth was only three days. She bypassed all the sorrow and hurt in this world and went straight to the presence of Jesus. Although we grieved our loss, Heaven gained a beautiful jewel.

It’s hard to believe Susannah would turn 14 today. But time in Heaven isn’t the same as time here. “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night” (Psalm 90:4). May we have such an eternal perspective to see time here is short. We must share Christ with a lost and dying world.

We love you, Susannah, and we miss you! But we’ll see you again. One day. Maybe soon.

Love,
Sarah

If you want to see a slideshow of Susannah’s short life, you can find it below or at this link if you are receiving this via email (music was written by Joseph, along with the other siblings accompanying).

“… the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21).

Susannah Maxwell, oldest daughter to Nathan and Melanie, would have turned 13 today. She lived 3 days before leaving this world and entering a blissful Eternity with the Kings of kings.

We love Susannah. She was beautiful, with dark hair and delicate features. We know many of you have lost little ones, and we hurt with you. The loss is real. Yet, it’s only temporary. Susannah is experiencing the unspeakable glory of Heaven.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

If you want to see a slideshow of Susannah’s short life, you can find it below or at this link if you are receiving this via email (music was written by Joseph, along with the other siblings accompanying).

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:4

Today would be Susannah’s 12th birthday. She was Nathan and Melanie’s firstborn daughter who only lived three days. Yet during her life of growing inside her mommy, we all came to love her so much. Little Thumper. The first child, the first grandchild, the first niece, and the first one to leave this earth. Saying good-bye was heart-breaking. Oh how the sobs came, as we let go. Yet, she’s in the most beautiful place ever. Heaven.

Still, there’s an empty spot. One that we will always remember. A daughter/niece/granddaughter who is missing from our physical presence. A gravestone that marks her little life. Pictures and memories. With that loss comes an empathy we’d never had before. One that comes through experiencing that heartache—that deep loss.

So today, while we remember Susannah, we want to tell those of you who are struggling with loss concerning children—we care. Whether it’s infertility, miscarriage, SIDS, or anything else—it hurts—a deep-down, raw hurt.

For those longing for a child, it may seem like everyone else can get pregnant but you. Consider Elisabeth and Zecharias. They were righteous before God. Yet, Elizabeth was barren (Luke 1:7). God used her mightly through the miracle of giving her John.

The “whys” want to spill over, but we can rest in God’s promises. They are sure and true. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

We care about the loss you’re experiencing. Happy birthday, Susannah. It must be a beautiful day in Heaven! “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb … And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:1 and 5).

If you want to see a slideshow of Susannah’s short life, you can find it below (music was written by Joseph, along with the other siblings accompanying).

Love,
Sarah

Dear Susannah,

Today is your 11th birthday. It’s hard to imagine you 11 years old here on earth because my memories of you are as a beautiful one-day-old baby. I think you and Bethany would have looked very similar!

Susannah, we loved you before we even knew you existed. We’d prayed for your daddy and mommy to be given a child for several years, and oh, the joy we felt when they told us about you! The days and weeks passed, a little too slow it seemed, as we were anxious for you to arrive.

One night, while we were away on a ministry trip, we got a midnight call from your daddy, saying they were on their way to the hospital. Mommy was having contractions. How far away Florida felt from Kansas at that moment! During that next month, Mommy was pretty much on bedrest. That didn’t keep you from being as active as ever, and you had well-earned the nickname Thumper.

The day came about a month later. Your birthday. You were so gorgeous: a headful of dark curls, chubby cheeks (even for a preemie!), and tiny, blush-pink lips.

Your time here lasted three short days. Days filled with hope, prayer, tears, and then releasing you to Jesus.

I want to tell you something, Susannah. Your parents are brave. It took courage to face losing their longed-for little girl, to go through grieving, and to hope again. Yet, they did. It was hard, really hard, but they walked courageously, not allowing their grief to overcome them. Eleven years later, God has given them a happy, full home with five more children. But you’re not forgotten. You’re still missed.

You’ve given me a new compassion for those who lose babies. You’ve taught me that weeping may endure for a night, and one’s heart feels like it’s been crushed, but joy comes in the morning. You were created in God’s image, a beautiful, amazing treasure on loan to us for three days.

We love you Susannah, and we can’t wait to see you in Heaven!

Love,
Aunt Sarah

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb… And they
shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And
there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light
of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign
for ever and ever.”
Revelation 22:1&4-5