Every year since 2003, at 11:34 am on the 30th of December, I have looked at the clock and thought, "And now I knew." Ben was gone but the long process of labor and delivery loomed, phoning my husband to tell him the terrible news, alerting families and friends.
In the space of a moment, a life changed, a life ended. A lifetime of things not done, words not said, plans and hopes and memories never made.
Eight years. Unimaginable that anyone can live that long without something--someone--so important. But live you do, because there is no other choice.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Grateful
Grateful for those who aren't afraid to say his name. (Ben.)
Grateful for those who try to understand that he is still my son, that I miss him every moment of every day. Grateful for those who realize I miss all the things that could have been. Grateful for those who understand you don't "move on" but you incorporate the grief into your life.
Grateful to those who aren't afraid to tell me they remember him and can only imagine how much it hurts.
Grateful that he is not, just yet, forgotten.
Grateful for those who try to understand that he is still my son, that I miss him every moment of every day. Grateful for those who realize I miss all the things that could have been. Grateful for those who understand you don't "move on" but you incorporate the grief into your life.
Grateful to those who aren't afraid to tell me they remember him and can only imagine how much it hurts.
Grateful that he is not, just yet, forgotten.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
End-of-Year Charity Requests
One request comes from the MISS Foundation, with this:
"2011 has been a tremendous year of growth for the MISS Foundation. A new board of directors, a new executive director, a new national office, a new accounting system, new database, new interns, new policies, new procedures, new volunteers, and sadly, and most importantly many, many, many new MISS Families needing support after the death of their beloved child....
The MISS Foundation serves these families and thousands of other bereaved families around the world without the help of federal funding or grants. The MISS Foundation is able to care for its families from individual and corporate donations. Not unlike many nonprofits in this depressed economy, donations have not kept pace with the need for services, so much so, that in 2012 some of our programs are at risk of being discontinued because of the extreme lack of funding. We desperately need your help! Remember: No one does what we do to help families facing infant and child death: counseling, advocacy, research, education, and support.
In the spirit of holiday giving, gratitude, and loving precious children gone too soon, please help save MISS Foundation programs and consider a $100, a $50 or a $20 donation. Every dollar helps the MISS Foundation save families, families like yours, on the most unthinkable journey...
We can’t save every child. Please help us save their families…"
*Donations can be made online here.
Another funding request comes from Big Buddha films, which is working on an independent film about a couple who lose three children. The trailer is powerful and a bit heartbreaking. Imagine something like this being screened at one of the big film festivals, like Sundance. For more info, see here.
"2011 has been a tremendous year of growth for the MISS Foundation. A new board of directors, a new executive director, a new national office, a new accounting system, new database, new interns, new policies, new procedures, new volunteers, and sadly, and most importantly many, many, many new MISS Families needing support after the death of their beloved child....
The MISS Foundation serves these families and thousands of other bereaved families around the world without the help of federal funding or grants. The MISS Foundation is able to care for its families from individual and corporate donations. Not unlike many nonprofits in this depressed economy, donations have not kept pace with the need for services, so much so, that in 2012 some of our programs are at risk of being discontinued because of the extreme lack of funding. We desperately need your help! Remember: No one does what we do to help families facing infant and child death: counseling, advocacy, research, education, and support.
In the spirit of holiday giving, gratitude, and loving precious children gone too soon, please help save MISS Foundation programs and consider a $100, a $50 or a $20 donation. Every dollar helps the MISS Foundation save families, families like yours, on the most unthinkable journey...
We can’t save every child. Please help us save their families…"
*Donations can be made online here.
Another funding request comes from Big Buddha films, which is working on an independent film about a couple who lose three children. The trailer is powerful and a bit heartbreaking. Imagine something like this being screened at one of the big film festivals, like Sundance. For more info, see here.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Say His Name
Ben.
That's all. Just Ben. It's not hard. It won't hurt to say, it won't hurt for me to hear. It will be sweet, in fact, to hear you say his name for what may be the first time ever. (How can you not say his name to me? He was a real child, after all.)
Ben.
That's all.
That's all. Just Ben. It's not hard. It won't hurt to say, it won't hurt for me to hear. It will be sweet, in fact, to hear you say his name for what may be the first time ever. (How can you not say his name to me? He was a real child, after all.)
Ben.
That's all.
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