Rory Feek Celebrates the First Mother's Day without Joey

This is the first mother's day, Rory Feek and his two year-old daughter Indiana are spending without Joey. On March 4th this year, Joey passed away after a nine month bout with terminal cancer. Their last album together Hymns that Are Important to Us was released less than a month before Joey's death. The hymns album was not only a #1 album on both Billboard's Christian and country music charts, the couple were also nominated for a Grammy earlier in the year.
On the first mother's day without Joey, Rory reflects on being a father. "I love being a father. I always have. Joey always said that that's part of what attracted her to me when we first met. But neither she, nor I, had any idea how important that would be to us years later.
For years after Joey and I got married, I dreamed that God might bless her and me with a baby. A baby that we could love and cherish and raise together. A child that was part her, part me, and all Him. And part of that dream was that I might be given a second chance at being a father. So when Indiana came along, it was a dream come true in more ways than most people know."
Naturally, Indiana brought the Feeks great joy. But when Joey discovered she had cancer, she was saddened and hurt. Rory writes: "Joey sat beside me on a glider on our back deck and cried and cried. But not because of the news that the cancer had spread and there was nothing more the doctors could do. She cried because Indy was going to lose her mama, and I was going to be a single father again. Joey knew how hard it had been for us for all those years before she came along and she was upset that she was going to leave me in the same situation."
However, it was prayer and God who helped the couple with their doubts and fears. "But we just did what we always did when we were confused and hurt and scared... we got on our knees, held hands and we prayed. Soon, our tears were replaced by hope and trust that God's plan was perfect and that somehow, someway... everything would be okay. We never cried over that again. We just celebrated everyday that we were given together, and tried our best to prepare for the day when those days together would be no more."
On Mother's Day, Rory and Indiana went to Joey's grave (behind their home) and celebrated with her. "Though my beautiful wife sleeps in a bed of clover behind our farmhouse, we still celebrate her on this special day and lift her up and give her flowers. This is not my day. It is hers. Joey loved being a mother more than anything else in the world. And she is still Indy's mama."
Tags : rory feek joey and rory feek joey + rory mother's day rory feek news joey feek news joey + rory feek joey and rory feek hymns that are important to is
Hot Trends
-
Here Are Lyrics to Charity Gayle's "Name Above All Names"
-
Matt Maher Reveals How Johnny Cash & Roy Orbison Inspired His New Song
-
The LeFevre Quartet Announces 20th Anniversary Concert Celebration
-
The 3 Heath Brothers Introduce Us to the Next Generation of Gospel Music
-
Steven Curtis Chapman Remembers Daughter Maria 15 Years After Her Tragic Death
-
LEELAND Shares the Story Behind their New Single "You're Not Done"
-
Rhett Walker to Perform on FOX & Friends
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Hillsong Worship Former Leader Miriam Webster Gets Married
-
Hinson Family’s Jordy Is Engaged To Logan Smith
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham's “Love Of God”
-
Huey P. Williams of the Gospel Group, the Jackson Southernaires, Has Died
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Patrick Mayberry's "Real Help"
-
7 Things to Know About Brothers of the Heart's "Listen to the Music"
-
Nicole Serrano, Former Member of Red Rocks Worship & Vocalist for Chris Tomlin, Says She's a Lesbian
Most Popular
-
Here Are Lyrics to Charity Gayle's "Name Above All Names"
-
Matt Maher Reveals How Johnny Cash & Roy Orbison Inspired His New Song
-
The LeFevre Quartet Announces 20th Anniversary Concert Celebration
-
The 3 Heath Brothers Introduce Us to the Next Generation of Gospel Music
-
Steven Curtis Chapman Remembers Daughter Maria 15 Years After Her Tragic Death
-
LEELAND Shares the Story Behind their New Single "You're Not Done"
-
Rhett Walker to Perform on FOX & Friends
-
Dr. David Jeremiah Had a Fall & Cancels All Speaking Engagements for "Singing in the Sun"
-
Hillsong Worship Former Leader Miriam Webster Gets Married
-
Hinson Family’s Jordy Is Engaged To Logan Smith
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham's “Love Of God”
-
Huey P. Williams of the Gospel Group, the Jackson Southernaires, Has Died
-
Here Are the Lyrics to Patrick Mayberry's "Real Help"
-
7 Things to Know About Brothers of the Heart's "Listen to the Music"
-
Nicole Serrano, Former Member of Red Rocks Worship & Vocalist for Chris Tomlin, Says She's a Lesbian