Center for Bereaved Parents

02/13/2022

Be gentle with yourselves this week, courageous parents. ❤️

01/01/2022

Be gentle with yourselves in the New Year, courageous parents.

12/20/2021

Be gentle with yourselves this week, courageous parents.

11/25/2021

Who is missing from your Thanksgiving table today? Tell us about them. We want to remember them with you at our table here at PALS.

Sending you all the love, courageous parents. We know Thanksgiving can be hard. ❤️

10/15/2021

It's Pregnancy, Infant, and Child Loss Remembrance Day. Who are you missing and remembering today? We want to know your babies and remember them with you.

Be gentle with yourselves today, courageous parents. ❤️

I will forever have footprints on my heart.

10/04/2021

Be honest, courageous parents. How are going doing so far this October?

09/28/2021

There are milestones that separate life into a before and after - graduations, moving out of the family home, getting married, becoming a parent. I've done all those things, but nothing has created such a stark dividing line as the death of my son.

09/09/2021

October is coming soon and that means Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month is upon us. As we near this month of honoring angel babies, please remember your friends/family who have lost a child and respect the fact that they will grieve for a lifetime.

07/07/2021

July is Bereaved Parents Awareness Month. We see you, grieving parents, and we remember your precious children with you. ❤️

07/01/2021

05/11/2021

When a baby dies it is devastating. It is an unexpected and heartbreaking tragedy. It is very possible that people might not know what to say and that makes sense.

They may wonder how could words ever be enough to take away the pain? What could one possibly say to remove the burden of losing a child?

The truth is that words will never take away the pain. The burden of losing a child is one to be carried forever. But that is not a reason to be silent.

A person living without their baby lives with enough silence.

They endure the shame and the stigma that silence brings, but they shouldn’t have to. Their support system can use words to help to fill the silence. It is a delicate task and mistakes will be made, but that is not a reason to stay silent.

When a baby dies, how do we start the conversation?

So often, people are worried about upsetting the person they are supporting, so they say nothing. When someone’s baby dies, they will never forget it. You are never reminding them when you speak up.

When you speak up with thoughtfulness and sensitivity, you are showing how much you care.

Because even if you’re uncomfortable and even if you aren’t sure what to say–you are willing to talk. It is a far better thing to be known for your willingness than your apathy.

These are the words to help us break through the silence and truly begin talking about the heartache of pregnancy and infant loss.

No words can change the fact that babies die, but words just might have the power to prevent some of these deaths from happening. If we continue to hide issues like miscarriage and stillbirth, no one will pay attention. If no one pays attention, then babies will continue to die at devastating rates.

Our words have the power to make change and most importantly, the power to demonstrate compassion.

Together, let’s find the words.

Let’s have the conversation.

Let’s end the silence.

04/06/2021

On that day, I changed out of my hospital gown and packed up my belongings. I collected my discharge paperwork and picked up my prescriptions. I walked down the hallway, my husband’s arm around me, while the nurses said goodbye with sad smiles and sympathetic eyes.

On that day, my hands shook as I pressed the elevator buttons. My eyes filled with tears as a couple passed by pushing a baby stroller. My legs could barely carry me as we approached the double doors to the parking garage.

On that day, I walked to my car and got inside. My husband started the engine and drove us home. We left our baby behind to be cremated and we would never hold her again.

On that day, I went home and tried to resume my normal life. I pet my cat, ate pizza on my couch and watched reruns of 30 Rock in silence. I put on my pajamas, crawled into bed, and cried myself to sleep.

Because on that day, my life forever changed.

On that day, I learned that being pregnant does not guarantee a living baby. I realized what a privilege it is to leave the hospital with your baby in your arms.