Bereaved Parents
Artwork on the Refrigerator
By: Amy Lied This piece of paper covered in scribbles is something I’ve longed to have on my fridge for years. I use to go over to my friend’s homes and see their child’s daycare artwork hanging there and stare longingly at it. I ached to have art on my fridge from my child. Each…
Read MoreEmbracing Our Realities Even in the Face of a Shared Grief
By: Tosin Popoola Introduction Among the Yoruba people of Nigeria, pregnancy and perinatal loss are understood and interpreted from the concept of ‘pot and water.’ From the Yoruba worldview, a pregnant woman is like a pot and the pregnancy she is carrying is the water. From this perspective, when Yoruba people want to communicate that…
Read MoreGrieving Now and Grieving Then
By: Brooke Taylor Duckworth I studied Victorian literature in graduate school, and alongside the novels I read, I learned a great deal about culture in Victorian England. Nineteenth-century Britain was fascinating to me—particularly in all of its contrast with our contemporary society. The strictly gendered spheres for men and women, the uncomfortable clothing, the formal…
Read MoreA Celebration of Life
By: Nikki Grayson Colorful flowers float down the river as we say our goodbyes to my Grandpa Dave at his farm. It’s a cold day in November, family and friends have gathered together to celebrate the life he lived. A few short months before he died, he told me where he wanted his ashes spread…
Read MoreLet’s Stop Saying “At Least”
By: Amy Lied When someone you love dies, it seems to be fairly customary to express your sympathies followed by some platitude to attempt to lessen the griever’s pain. This is where the “at-least” statements come into play. A few of my favorites after my son died were: “I’m so sorry for your loss.”…
Read MoreWork In Process: Healing After the Loss of My Baby
By: Robyn Busekrus The phrase, “Work in Progress,” has been one that I have heard frequently quoted. Work in process I like better, since healing is a process that progresses. When I think of where I am today, I am a healing work in process. I don’t think I will be whole again. However, I…
Read MoreIdentity Shift
By: Rebecca Stockwell My loss came, as many do, out of the blue. I went for a routine ultrasound and found out my son had multiple anomalies. I’m a nurse, and when I lost my son I was working in step down ICU. I took about a week off after my loss and then returned…
Read MoreBe Kind To Yourself
By: Keisha Wells “Be kind to yourself.” This was one of the first words of encouragement I received from a fellow angel mom. The first time I had ever been given this guidance. Her words were both comforting and abstract. How could I give any thought to caring for myself when facing such a crushing…
Read MoreLoss, Love and the Will to Keep Fighting
By: Nikki Grayson We say it all the time, “I love you” or “I love that.” I wonder how many times a day we express it, let alone in a week. “Love” is such a strong word. We love our husbands, our family, our professions, and sometimes even a piece of cake. I have never…
Read MoreThree Years
By: Amy Lied 3 Years This month marks three years since our son died. Three years since I said “hello” and “goodbye” to my child on the same day. Three years since I’ve seen his face. Three years since I’ve held his hand. Three years since my heart shattered into a million pieces. Three years…
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