grief
Losing a family member is one of the most traumatic life events; Families must support one another to endure the five stages of grief and get through it together.
Miscarriage Awareness
October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Never did it cross my mind that this day would be something I would be a part of. I don’t think anyone thinks they will be a part of it but the reality is 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage. Why don’t we know this? Why didn’t I know this? It’s not a subject anyone wants to discuss but knowing that this is common is something women need to know. Us ‘1 in 4’s’ need to know it’s not our fault, we didn’t cause it. It’s “normal.” As terrible as that sounds. I want to share an open letter I wrote for women who have had the unfortunate chance of being the ‘1 in 4.’
By Haley Madison6 years ago in Families
Losing Mom
Mom, the nurturing, caregiver who always has your back. I was only 4 when my mom lost her battle to breast cancer at only 30 years young. For most, this is something they won’t experience until later in life but whether you are 4 or 64 losing your mother is an emotional roller coaster that just becomes slightly barable overtime.
By Kristie Bochman6 years ago in Families
Today We Buried My Grandma
Today we buried my grandma. I couldn't have been more appalled. I knew she had passed away, obviously, but it really didn't hit me until I was there, standing at her casket. I don't know why. I was there when she was in the hospital. I stood by her bedside while a priest prayed over her. I knew what was coming. I would like to say I was mentally prepared. That would be a lie though. My grandma was one of those people that you never picture dying. I honestly thought I would pass away before she did. I never thought of her as sick or old. She was in her 90s and I still fully believe she could've kicked my butt. I know I'm not the only one who thought this. Just looking around the room it was pretty obvious that no one there was prepared for her passing. She was the only grandparent I ever really knew and listening to people talk about her today I cried even harder because there's so much I didn't know about her too.
By Michelle Schultz6 years ago in Families
Sometimes Life Throws Grenades
Sometimes instead of lemons, life throws grenades. Miscarriage is never pretty. A miscarriage, for all intents, is losing a baby that never was. Most are lost before 12 weeks, with most happening between 4 and 6 weeks. Life is more than a miracle than people realize with so many miscarriages being missed as the woman never realized she was pregnant. I have been through three. I can tell you that it is not a lemon life throws at you, it is a grenade. It shatters you in ways you didn't know you could shatter. It is not JUST the loss of an embryo, it is the loss of your child. It is all of the Christmases, and Halloweens, and every single milestone that that child will never reach. The first word, first steps and high school graduations are all taken from you in an instant.
By Michelle Shaver6 years ago in Families
Where Is Dad?
It was a Thursday morning, around 6:30 AM. I was jolted awake by the hellish scream of ambulance sirens. Footsteps echoed past my bedroom through the narrow hallway. I heard the familiar voice of Kathy, one of the members of the local law enforcement. Why was she here? As I pondered the questions forming in my head and trying to think of logical answers to keep my mind at ease, I heard the mournful sound of my mother sobbing. I summoned the courage to leave my room to investigate the possible tragic events. I tried to show no emotion and used my excuse of "looking for something to eat" as a ploy to hide the dismay and chaos that was erupting inside of my maddened mind. With my father owning the title of Fire Department Chief, I had become acquainted with most of the local EMTS, which was fine until they showed up at my house equipped with an ambulance and a gurney. As I stepped out of the professionals' path to my parent's bedroom, a body numbing question was forced into my lost brain: "Where is Dad?"
By Cameron Anson6 years ago in Families
Time Does Heal
Hi, I would like to share a story of mine which is a little personal, it is a story about my grandfather. Four years ago in the year of 2014 he lost his battle with cancer. There was one time during his long struggle that the cancer was nowhere to be seen and yet somehow it made its way back into his body. This time the cancer came back even stronger than the first. I was 17 years old when he passed away, being that young and losing someone I had known all my life had a huge effect on my heart and my mind. Throughout everything I have a regret, one regret that will forever stick in my mind. Was it because I was in denial? Did I just not want to see him like that not or did I want it to be real? I will never know but it is too late to say sorry now.
By LeighAnn Connor6 years ago in Families
My Sister Janna's Last Words
When you’re young, things that’ve happened just don’t seem to click. Even catastrophic things, like death. Maybe it does click for some kids, but most of them just process a sudden tragedy, they may ask questions, and they may express sadness, and then they move on.
By Kira Zimney6 years ago in Families