Supporting You
Parents
“It feels like a branch from our family tree has been torn off. A small branch, one whose presence completed us, had been ripped from our family and left a large wound. Without it, we were lopsided and off balance. When my other children were born, they did not replace the fallen branch, but created a new branch all their own.”
Hope
The loss of a baby or child of any age is an unthinkable loss.
The ensuing grief can feel all-consuming and the pain can be beyond description.
It is often difficult to find the will to carry on in everyday life and the grief journey can seem endless. The bond between parent and child is so strong and bereaved parents do not “get over” the death of their children. There is no closure, but there is, eventually, an acceptance, a new life, a different life. One that will always include your child, but one that looks different than it did before.
Knowing how to navigate your own individual grief journey and also how to support one another can be challenging.
Some of the things you may experience or feel:
A profound longing and emptiness, sadness.
Crying all the time or at unexpected times.
Inability to concentrate on anything, frequently misplacing items.
Wondering “Why?!?”
Questioning yourself over and over: “IF only I had…?” “Why didn’t I…?”
Placing unnecessary guilt on yourself or others.
Anger with yourself, family members, God, the doctor, and even your child for dying.
Fearing that you are going crazy.
Great physical exhaustion – grief is hard work and consumes much energy.
Difficulty sleeping or sleeping all the time to avoid the pain.
Physical symptoms such as heaviness in your chest or having difficulty breathing (if these feelings persist see your physician), tightness in your throat, yawning, sighing, gasping, or even hyperventilating.
Grief affects each of us differently.
When a child dies, each member of the immediate family, extended family, or circle of friends is deeply impacted. Knowing how to navigate your own individual grief journey and also how to support one another can be challenging.
3Hopeful Hearts is here to support each member of this circle with their individual needs. This is not a journey meant to be walked alone. To effectively support one another, you will also need to have your own outside support. At a time of such intense feelings it is helpful to have grief companionship and validation to move forward in your journey so that you may successfully support your family, friends, peers, or coworkers.