Posts by Patti Budnik
Walking Down the Stairs: Even Good Days Hurt
By: Julz Richterman Tragedy is a gas that seeps into every part of your life. Not only are you left remembering the “before” you, but you are haunted by the “should be” and “what if” you – the you who will never exist. You miss the person who never thought about these two opposing realities:…
Read MoreBeing Part of the Club
By: Amanda Crews When I was in labor with our son, Carson, at 37 weeks, I had a dear friend visit me. She, too, had experienced the loss of a child. She stood alongside my bed, as my body prepared for a long labor, and she apologized. She said, “I am so sorry, Amanda. This…
Read MoreI Wanted to Say Thank You, but I Couldn’t: A Letter to MY Parents
By: Julz Richterman Saying “thank you” used to be easy. You always supported me, even if you didn’t agree with me. You let me make my own mistakes, celebrated with me when life went well, and stood by me when it didn’t. None of this changed when I said I wanted to go to a…
Read MoreSad Moments During Special Days
By: Marie Kriedman I find myself in a new place of my grief journey: regret, with a side helping of disappointment and sorrow. I am struggling with the fact that my last pregnancy ended in death. My husband and I would like to add to our family, but my age makes it more difficult. We…
Read MoreThe Seasons of Grief
By: Robyn Busekrus Spring is a time of new beginnings. Seeing the flowers bloom at this time of year brings joy.The anticipation of the colors unfolding ushers a sense of excitement. Seasons bring changesin the weather and in our surroundings. Grief also brings changes in the seasons in our lives. There are two seasons of…
Read MoreTo the Nurse That Held My Stillborn Baby
The nurse that held my baby, also held my broken heart.
Read MoreInfertility….Awareness
By: Lindsey Dell I have a confession. I’m an addict. Reality tv. You name it…I probably watch it. The trashier the better. I’m sure there’s a whole psychological reason behind why I love trashy television so much, but I don’t really care. It makes me feel better about myself and that’s good enough a reason…
Read MoreReceive the Healing
By: Justine Froelker Trauma can stay stuck, living in us for long past the harm. Our body remembers, trauma gets stuck in our tissues, our hearts yearn, and our brain makes up stories to keep us as safe and comfortable as possible. It often happened in my office when I was working with individual clients…
Read MoreThe Emotions & Experiences of Bereaved Parents
Grief can steal everything you thought you knew. But grief can also be a teacher.
Read MoreThe Resentment in Grief
By: Amy Lied It’s been 6 years since our firstborn, our son, was stillborn, after struggling with infertility and suffering a miscarriage previously. Since then we have brought home twin girls, for whom we are immensely grateful. However, despite the joy of our daughters, the pain remains from our journey to parenthood. In the four…
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