On June 7, 2012, my mother lost her battle with breast cancer. She was my best friend. We talked or Skyped everyday, even when she was in the hospital. We had so much faith that she would be healed and would live to see my daughter, Shayla Nicole. She loved Shayla so much and was anticipating her arrival.
My mom loved children and spent her Saturdays helping children who were struggling in school.
On May 13, 2012, my mother and father celebrated their 40-year wedding anniversary. They loved each other so much. My dad adored her.
Mom was hilarious. She always made us laugh. I often find myself laughing aloud at something funny she said. I just pray that I can pass her pearls of wisdom on to my daughter.
Twelve days following my mother’s passing, Shayla Nicole was born. Someone once told me that in the midst of life’s journey, God allows both rain and sunny days. Seldom do we see a rainbow after the rain. However, the joy of bringing Shayla Nicole into this world was my rainbow after the storm.
I love this little person, and I pray that I can be at least half the mother to Shayla Nicole that my mother has been to me.
Shayla I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. Words can’t express my deepest sympathy. God took a well flourished flower from you but gave you one to nurture and grow in almost the same breath. You and your family are in my prayers during this time of sadness and great joy.
Nkenge
Thank you.
And what a beautiful rainbow she is! You have my condolences and congratulations. God’s blessing is going to bring you so much joy, and she will bring sunshine to any cloudy day. Wishing you happiness, joy, love, strength, and guidance as you embark upon the journey of motherhood.
Love you much,
Kiley
P.S. Why did you choose to name her Shayla?
I love my name and also, I wanted her name to have meaning. Shayla means gift from God and Nicole (my little sister’s name) means victory.
Ooohhh, you have me sooo full at work right now!!!!! What a beautiful tribute to your mother and the birth of precious Shayla. You are going to be a GREAT mother……you had a wonderful example!!!!!!!
Thank you, Kendra!
I’m sorry to hear of your loss. May GOD continue to Bless you and your family!
Thank you, Kisha.
This is a beautiful post. I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I know you will be an awesome mother, because you always gave motherly wisdom to all of us in your cell group. Love ya, Candice.
Thank you, Candice.
I was saddened/gladdened to hear of your Mom’s “Homegoing”. What a beautiful Legacy she will always be. Congratulations on your “Rainbow”- Shayla Nicole. What a powerful little Blessing is she.
Yes, she is such a blessing!
What a miracle and blessing for the Lord to give you such a beautiful rainbow so soon after the passing of your dear Mom. I guess Mom is supposed to be Shayla Nicole’s Angel and she could only be that in Heaven! 🙂
My sincerest condolences and congratulations, Shayla!
PL
P.S. Love her hair!
Thank you, and I do not know how to do kids’ hair. This will be an adventure.
You will learn and have fun with her hair!
Aawh Shayla. That brought me to tears. My deepest sympathy at the loss of your Mother. My congratulations on the birth of your beautiful daughter. I know your Mom is smiling down from Heaven as she is watching you follow in her footsteps. There is no doubt in my mind that you and Mathis will do your best in raising wonderful daughter.
Thank you so much. With God’s help, we will do our best to raise her as my mom raised me.
Hello Mathis and Shayla,
We share and partner with you in this time of such joy and sorrow. You were remembered in prayer today at our church as we petitioned our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to comfort and support the Tate and Jackson families. Take care, be ecouraged, and rejoice.
Prentice, Karla, PJ, and Christian
Prentice, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and kindness. We appreciate your prayers!
Your little bundle of joy is absolutely beautiful…such an awesome blessing!!! I am sure you will be an excellent mother as your mother has been for you down through the years!!!
Thank you!!
Shayla,
What a blessing! You will be a wonderful mom. God will give you all the wisdom you need. My prayers are with you as venture through this journey.
Xoxo-Precious
Thanks Precious! God has done it already and I am so grateful!
Shayla,
This was a bittersweet post to read. I was literally in tears reading that your mom lost her battle with such a dreadful disease. However, God gained one angel in heaven and sent you one to bring up in the same manner your mom brought you up: to love the Lord. May the God of peace grant you peace and comfort. Shayla Nicole is beautiful! Congratulations and enjoy this next chapter in your life.
Thank you, Kim. It is indeed bittersweet, but we know that the best is yet to come!
Shayla: First, let me say congratulations to you and Mathis for Shayla Nicole, what a beautiful Blessing! You have been in my prayers over this past month. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say to a person when they have lost someone so close to them, but you are a wonderful friend, daughter, wife, and now mother. So, I know your daughter is in good hands. I am sorry for the loss of your mother, but we both know she will always be with you because she lives in your heart. I know she probably touched your belly so she had a connection with your daughter. Take care and I hope we can talk soon.
Sincerely,
Donna
Thank you, Donna!
What a perfect analogy! God is so gracious to us that He always seems to soften the blow. Miss Shayla Nicole is beautiful and full of beauty. The Tate family is blessed beyond measure. I too have experienced a rainbow after the storm. I loss my dear precious mother 9 days after giving birth to my second son. In spite of it all God has been good to all of us! Be encouraged with the words of Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Love y’all
We love you too, and thank you for your kind words!
I sooooooooooo LOVE this blog. First let me say again Congrats on the baby she is sooooooooooo PRECIOUS!! and I can tell that you ate really well:)) I knew your mother had passed but I didn’t know how to ask or tell you,my heart still goes out to you,BUT God heals and although he took a life and said that it was time and called her home he gave you another precious angel… I just know that you will def be an amazing mother to your day because u learned from the BEST:)) I can’t say I truly understand how you feel because I have not experienced this,BUT Iam with you in agreement that you will raise an amazing woman of GOD(Shayla Nicole is gonna be an amazing woman of God just like her mommy:)) ok I am teary eyed let me stop typing. So Proud of you def a woman of strength to even write this blog.
Thank you so much Angela!
Oh Shayla I am so very sorry for your loss. Now you and baby Shayla have your own special angel !!!!!
Yes, we are in good hands with my mom as Shayla’s guardian angel! 🙂
Wow Shayla! I had no idea you were going through so much. O.M.G.! I wish you had called me about your Mom. You are so strong, my friend. Congratulations on your brand new baby girl, she is beautiful. This news is so bittersweet.
Yes, it is bittersweet, but I trust God in knowing that the best is yet to come.
When you have moments of missing your Mom, remember that she is still with you in spirit! You can still talk to her every day and she will hear you. Congrats on Shayla Nicole! How great the Lord is to give her to you and Mathis just at the right moment! She will bring such joy to you as you move through the days ahead. And how beautiful she is! Just lovely! I’ll keep you in my prayers…
Love you
Thank you so much, and we love you too. We can feel everyone’s prayers! Keep ’em coming! 😉
Shayla,
May your mother’s memory be a blessing to you and your family. I was sorry to hear of your family’s loss. And congratulations on welcoming your new baby girl! She is just as beautiful as her mother and grandmother and I bet you will have so many wonderful times telling your little one about how lively a woman her grandmother was! I can’t wait to hear more about your little lady!
Thank you, Nicole!
I praise God that you are the “Soulmate” of my son and loving mother of my pride and joy, Shayla Nicole.
You are truly a godly woman of faith.
Thank you, and my mom is happy that Matt and I are soulmates. I found a long letter a couple of weeks ago that my mom had written to Mathis in 2010 expressing her excitement that the two of us are together. She loves Matt so much and knows that I am in good hands with Matt.
Beautiful…absolutely beautiful. Your tribute to your mother and little Shayla.
Thank you, Erica!
Im sorry to hear of your loss! You and Matt have a beautiful baby girl! I pray that you will find strength and comfort in your time of need. Be Blessed!
Thank you, Shermanda.
Shayla,
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. I have always admired your strong faith and I know he will continue to take care of you and your family.
Thank you, Christie.
I want to see more pictures of the baby! Loved the painting of her. Mathis HAS talent.
Thanks Mary-Lisa!
Great memorial to your Mom and Shayla Nicole is just beautiful! God is surely blessing you and Matt.
Thank you!
Wow! Beautiful tribute. I just recently learned of your mother passing. My prayers go out for you and your family. So glad God never leaves us void of His comfort,and how awesome it is that He equipped you both to be the parents He designed you to be.
Thanks, Ursula! I see a lot more of my mom in me everyday!
Beautiful!!!
Thank you! My mom was such a beautiful person.