Day 130 of 365 Days of Being Thankful
Yesterday I had the Bereaved moms meeting at Paneras. I was so thankful that 6 moms attended. I hadn't seen three of the moms for quite awhile so it was nice to talk and share. We really missed Roe and Deb who weren't able to attend. This is the nicest group of people I have ever met. Everyone in the group is so supportive of each other and they are all living with immense grief.
I think that other "normal" people understand the immediate tragedy of the death of a child, but they don't and can't understand the everlasting lifelong grief.. We talked about how fortunate we were to have each other but also for the people who really stepped up to the plate after our children died. I am so thankful that my friends Jackie, Linda and Nancy were there for me. My friend Carol, who is Jackie's sister-in-law has been such a special addition to my life. And I am thankful that my friend Amy is always there for me, she is such a wonderful friend. And I am so glad that I reconnected with my childhood friend Leslie. Leslie is a kind and generous friend. She is generous with her time and with her artistic talents. And my best friend Priscilla is the best friend I have ever had. I feel fortunate and thankful to have such wonderful friends.
There really are no words to explain being with this group of bereaved moms.. I am just so thankful to be part of this special group of moms. We discussed Mother's Day and just talked in general about our lives. One of the members, Freddie, brought her four month old granddaughter. Babies always bring joy and she was such a good baby! Lisa asked everyone how much they believed in psychics. I am probably the most skeptical of the entire group! After our meeting, Nancy, Adriana, and I went to the cemetery to see each other's children's graves. That may sound strange to others reading this blog but it is just our normal. I love when people visit Amy's grave. Adriana's mother takes care of the grave. She had a small sign made and put it to the left of the stone. It tells the cemetery workers not to touch anything on the grave, that the family, meaning Adriana's mother, would take care of the decorations, etc. The three of us had a good laugh about the little sign! Adriana doesn't realize how funny she is. I love to be with her because she always says something that makes us all laugh. Adriana is the only child of her Italian mother who is quite a matriarch! Adriana's stories are always so funny and that always breaks the tension of such a large group of moms dealing with grief.
Nancy is such a wonderful person. Even with her grief, she is always upbeat and positive. She organized a group of senior knitters to knit baby hats and she delivers them to hospitals. She always thanks me for organizing and running things. I feel good whenever I am around her. Nancy's son Grant has his own marker next to the Lange family name because the large stone was full. (I did ask both of my friends if it was OK that I took a photo and was going to post it on my blog).
Bereaved moms need to be with other bereaved moms, there is a camaraderie, and a deep understanding of each other's grief. The bond and the grief are both unexplainable. Laughter comes more easily with bereaved moms, not sure why that is. Sitting there at Paneras, we just look like a normal group of friends having lunch together. No one really could understand the bond or why we continue to meet.
Olivia is still loving cosmetology school! She has been cutting and styling her mannequins' hair and they really look nice! I think she has a natural talent for hair and make-up. She knew herself better than I knew her! I am so thankful that she found her passion in life.
There really are no words to explain being with this group of bereaved moms.. I am just so thankful to be part of this special group of moms. We discussed Mother's Day and just talked in general about our lives. One of the members, Freddie, brought her four month old granddaughter. Babies always bring joy and she was such a good baby! Lisa asked everyone how much they believed in psychics. I am probably the most skeptical of the entire group! After our meeting, Nancy, Adriana, and I went to the cemetery to see each other's children's graves. That may sound strange to others reading this blog but it is just our normal. I love when people visit Amy's grave. Adriana's mother takes care of the grave. She had a small sign made and put it to the left of the stone. It tells the cemetery workers not to touch anything on the grave, that the family, meaning Adriana's mother, would take care of the decorations, etc. The three of us had a good laugh about the little sign! Adriana doesn't realize how funny she is. I love to be with her because she always says something that makes us all laugh. Adriana is the only child of her Italian mother who is quite a matriarch! Adriana's stories are always so funny and that always breaks the tension of such a large group of moms dealing with grief.
The is Adriana's daughter's grave. The stone is very beautiful! Her daughter's name is also Aimee, just spelled differently from my daughter Amy's name. Aimee died at age 13 from cancer.
Bereaved moms need to be with other bereaved moms, there is a camaraderie, and a deep understanding of each other's grief. The bond and the grief are both unexplainable. Laughter comes more easily with bereaved moms, not sure why that is. Sitting there at Paneras, we just look like a normal group of friends having lunch together. No one really could understand the bond or why we continue to meet.
Olivia is still loving cosmetology school! She has been cutting and styling her mannequins' hair and they really look nice! I think she has a natural talent for hair and make-up. She knew herself better than I knew her! I am so thankful that she found her passion in life.
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