Another Holiday Minus

For those of us that celebrate Easter this is another occasion where we are missing a precious loved one. Another family event with someone sadly absent. I hope you are able to enjoy the Easter holiday even with the reminder that there should be another bunny hopping around hunting for eggs.
To continue with the theme of family and friend support here is a poem which I received from one of the bereavement groups I reached out to.

Dear Friends - written by Eloise Cole

Dear Friends,
If you were to ask me to measure the love I have
for any member of my family,
I would be hard pressed to answer.
Surely my love is higher than mountain tops
And deeper than the oceans
And broader than all the deserts in the world.
So too is my love for the baby who has died.

How can I be asked to pack away mementos and memories
and not speak his name?
He is and always will be a part of me.

No one can crate the depths of the ocean,
The breadth of the deserts,
Nor can my love be boxed and carried away.

Dear friends,
Please do not set limits on my grief.
Neither my love
Nor the depths of my sorrow can be measured.
I am unable to heal on a timetable set by another.
Weeks and months have no meaning
when set against the measure of my love.
Walk with me please, this difficult road of recovery,
I promise you I will heal,
When I have grieved enough for me.

Question: Reconciling

How supportive have your family and friends been since the loss of your child? How have you reconciled with those who you feel did not support you or did not remember the milestones, such as due dates, angelversary's, birthdays? What is one thing you would like them to know? For those struggling with family and friends you may want to read and/or share this