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What It’s Like to Lose a Child

Posted on November 28, 2010 - by Vicky Bates

“Trust that you can learn from each challenge, regardless of how disturbing or painful. That is a God-given right inside of you. Invoke your right to learn from everything.” – John Morton Everyone asks what’s it like to lose a child. Disbelief How could it be?  This only happens to people you don’t know who are on the 6 o’clock news at night, in some town you have never heard of, “What a shame, how tragic,” you sincerely say to yourself as you reach for your magazine or get up to start dinner wondering if you should make a salad. […]

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Finding a Purpose After a Sibling’s Murder

Posted on November 27, 2010 - by Shirley Wiles-Dickinson

After my sister, Sandra, was murdered in September of 2009, I was pro-active in seeking help to deal with the tragedy.  I saw my doctor regularly, a family therapist and later a psychologist. I also found a wonderful support group through our local hospice. At first, I felt so weak, needing help dealing with the loss. As the weeks unfolded into months, I realized, with the help of all my support, that I wasn’t weak at all for needing help. I was strong for realizing I needed it. And even stronger for asking for help. I remember discussing in the […]

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The Holidays for Suicide Loss Survivors

Posted on November 27, 2010 - by Catherine Greenleaf

As suicide loss survivors, we can often dread the holiday season. Christmas music tells us to be jolly, but sometimes our grief is too heavy and we just can’t work up the enthusiasm. However, by giving ourselves permission to take care of ourselves, we take control and feel self-empowered – regardless of what the relatives may say. Here are some tips to help you along: Tip #1 – The most important thing you can do this holiday season, or at any time, is to put yourself with safe people who validate your loss. Tip #2 – Don’t feel you have […]

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my daughter princess katrina

Posted on November 26, 2010 - by admin

my only daughter katrina died of a drug overdose on 4/18/2008 she was found on the bathroom floor of a battered womens shelter she left behind her child genesis she died 2 days after her twin brother had his first child a girl i live in a small town with no support at all please any one who experienced any cituation alike please i would love to hear from you sincerly a desperate mother

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my princess katrina

Posted on November 26, 2010 - by admin

on 4/18/2008 my life changed forever i was told my 23 yr old daughter katrins was found dead on a bahroom floor in a battered womens shelter 2 days after her twin brothers daughter was born she died of a drug overdose and also left behind her 8 yr old daughter im searching for any type of support this small town i live in has no support groups please help

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My grandson Jay

Posted on November 26, 2010 - by admin

Today has been a really hard day our first Thanksgiving without Jay. He died in an tragic auto accident on June 15, 2010 he was 16 years old. I went to the accident scene something I wish I had not done as did my husband, The way the person told us about his death was so cold and unfeeling. I still have nightmares about it. Sometimes I feel like my heart will break. I just can not accept the fact that I will never see him again.People say it will get easier with time but I am beginning to wonder. […]

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Celebrating the Holidays After the Death of your Child

Posted on November 26, 2010 - by Susan Gilbert & Suzanne Redfern

After my husband and I lost our daughter Amanda, age 18, the first few holidays held anxiety and dread for us. We anticipated waves of grief and deep sadness because she was not present to celebrate with us, and we wondered if we would ever find meaning in the holidays again. We did find a few techniques that have helped us through the years and you may find our experiences beneficial to you, especially in the early years following your loss. Have a plan. It is good to be mindful that the day will probably be difficult and it is […]

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missing a loving daughter

Posted on November 25, 2010 - by admin

on 8-27-2008 at 10:50 am my daghter die of aplastic anemmia,she need it a bone marrow transplant and we couldnt find one,we lok every where and wasnt a match,my family was tested and only 3 people was half match my older daughter melissa,my 5 years old grandson and an aunt in guatemala city,but it was too late she die before did the match except my older daughter plealetes was the the doctor put her in her body,since then i dont like to celebrated thanksgiving and christmas because her birthday is 11-24-1987 for me those days are holidays because i don […]

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Turkey, Cranberry Sauce and Memories

Posted on November 24, 2010 - by Kate McGrath

The holiday season has arrived and I welcome it! I open my arms to the experience of feeling excited and simultaneously having the sensation of a throat constricting grief – well-known visitors during the holidays.  Together, bitter and sweet emotions have given my life vibrancy I would have least expected, especially when my brother died sixteen years ago. Indeed, I would have gladly cast off any emotions that are the antithesis of joy or happiness.  And as an eight-year-old at that time, I probably did avoid such feelings.  Today, I give thanks for those moments that I can mourn the […]

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Young, Widowed with Only One Thanksgiving to Remember

Posted on November 24, 2010 - by Chasity Glass

Even if I am young and widowed and we didn’t have much time together, I should remember how we celebrated Thanksgiving. But I don’t. I wasn’t blessed with five or ten years of holiday traditions with my husband. We celebrated only one Thanksgiving and now I am cursing myself – I can’t remember what we did. It’s not like the memory is blurry, I have blurry, fuzzy memories of us together. No, this is different. I simply can’t recall. I can’t picture a turkey or who carved it. I can’t image where we where, if we went somewhere, and whether […]

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