Today we celebrated our son, Patrick’s, 4th birthday. Four. If I’m being honest, I think this has been the toughest birthday yet. I’ve very much felt the pull of life moving on without him, so today has been rough. I almost didn’t take Stitch to “school” this morning. We were very late, but we made [...]
I've been talking a lot about the magic of the holiday season this year. I feel it in me, and I see it in my daughter's eyes. Each night, she opens her Advent present so carefully, so expectantly, so delightfully. It's precious. I want to bottle these moments. But, if I was to be really [...]
We found out that Doodlebug (what we called Patrick before he was born) was lagging in growth around 10 weeks gestation. The next ten weeks felt like whiplash between hope and devastation. I went to the OB clinic at least once a week, often twice a week. Sitting in that waiting room became a significant anxiety [...]
I have always loved Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I’d probably choose it as my life’s lullaby. It brings comfort and hope. Each time I hear the song, it calms me. In fact, I’ve collected every version of the song that’s been recorded. I currently have 15 versions on my iPhone. At my wedding, I danced [...]
Stable: “adj. Resistant to change of position or condition; not easily moved or disturbed.” Stable: “adj. Maintaining equilibrium; self-restoring.” Stable: “adj. Consistently dependable; steadfast of purpose.” Stable: “adj. Not subject to mental illness or irrationality” (Wordnik). I never thought stable, in any of its definitions, would describe me. Yet, it is exactly the word my [...]
Several events over the last couple of years, including the death of Patrick, have really rocked my view of the people of the world. Each time one of these events occurs, the thought that sticks out in my brain is, "Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." (Side note: interestingly, this quote is attributed [...]
**Spoilers for Season 3 of Call the Midwife, given for context After Patrick died, we really put ourselves in a protective bubble with our TV and movie distractions. The DVR filled, because we didn't know what new episodes would set us off. We watched a lot of re-runs--Castle, Bones, Veronica Mars, Buffy--and movies in our library. [...]
Capture Your Grief Prompt: Day 16: RETREAT. After yesterday which is probably one of the most emotional days for our community, it is important to take time out to protect your own heart. If you are an active member in our community and belong to one or more support groups, caring for others as well as [...]
Capture Your Grief Prompt: Day 25: MOTHER EARTH. We as a community love to do things in memory of our children. Today I wanted to do something to honour our children’s spirits and I wanted this to be something that helps our Mother Earth. Planting a tree is a meaningful way to remember our children. It [...]
Capture Your Grief Prompt: Day 15: COMMUNITY. As a wave of light makes its way around the world today, we take some time out to honour and remember our children. It is a day of remembrance and a day of awareness. What does this community mean to you? Where would you be without it? What would you like [...]
