Submitted by: Walking Through Grief Society
Many hearts are broken and often the grieving is done in silence. The families that have dreams and hopes dashed by the loss through pregnancy or as an infant, often are overlooked in their grief. Often the community does not know or are uncomfortable in supporting them and there are the myths that one only grieves the loss of child that a relationship has been developed with.
A day has been set aside in Canada and the U.S. to remember those families and the little one who has left their family. October 9th to 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Week. October the 15th is the day set aside to honor the families and their special baby.
It is encouraged that each person remembers these families by lighting a candle at 7 p.m. on the 15th as others do all across Canada.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is a day to break the silence around the loss as thousands of families across Canada are mourning the loss of their babies (present loss and losses remembered from the past). This loss is experienced as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth, and death within a year. The experience of pregnancy and infant loss is different for each individual and family but will share some of the same effects, such as depression (sometimes post-partum depression), anxiety, shock, numbness, anger, sadness, fear, guilt, blame, changes in relationship, developing unhealthy coping mechanisms, and sometimes post-traumatic stress disorder and more. These are valid and normal reactions to grief. This loss also affects grandparents and siblings. Let’s not forget their grief, too.
Remember self-care on this journey. Acknowledge your loss was great and life changing, and you have the right to grieve and mourn. Seek out a trusted friend, counsellor, clergy, support group or one to one support.
Some resources for support are: Alberta Mental Health, your local Mental Health counsellors, Walking Through Grief Society, The compassionate Friend and other web sites for infant loss.
FOREVER IN MY HEART
(a parent poem)
You are forever in my heart,
the day will come I know
when all the rain has fallen
and the sun begins to show.
I’ll think of you in all I do
Your warmth will touch my face
you’ll twinkle in the starlight
and be held in each embrace.
So please do not be saddened
if a tear for you I shed
but we had dreams and wishes
which I’ll safely keep instead.
Although it hurts, I understand
our time together has not passed
you’ll always be with me.
In every day and every way
You’ll always be a part
My precious little angel
you’re forever in my heart.
Σχόλια