Still Marching
May 6, 2015 at 10:16 pm | Posted in after death?, Grief, life after loss, Love | 1 CommentTags: baby loss, death of a child, hope, life after loss, love, March of Dimes, mother's day, new not so normal, Northside Hospital, premature birth, thoughts, ways to honor the memory of your child
This weekend our family is walking in the March of Dimes’ “March for Babies” just like we have in years past. Originally our team was named Jake’s Journey. After Sawyer died we renamed it to Jake’s Journey & Sawyer’s Strides. This year the walk is on Mother’s Day weekend. Although I wish we were walking with all of our children, I think this is as close of a perfect way to honor all 4 as possible.
The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. I believe that the March of Dimes is making a difference and saving babies.
I cannot do anything to bring back Jake or Sawyer but maybe, just maybe, I can help spare other parents the heartbreak of having to live in this world without their child/children.
Thank you to all those who supported our team this year and in past years. Thank you also to the Northside Hospital for matching funds. We appreciate all of your kindness and generosity. Please consider supporting Jake’s Journey & Sawyer’s Strides and click here.
Fine Tuning
April 28, 2015 at 10:35 pm | Posted in Grief, life after loss | 5 CommentsTags: death of a baby, new not so normal, perspective, post traumatic stress disorder, Sawyer, thoughts
The other day was kindergarten round-up (the “orientation” for rising kindergarteners). Sawyer would be have been 5 in November and he should have been there that day getting a tour of the school he should be starting next school year.
I know that I am not supposed to grow him up in my mind but sometimes I find myself wondering anyway.
My therapist suggested that I slightly adjusting my thinking – kind of like those radio dials we used to turn until the station came in more clearly. For example, one of the twins goes to a doctor in the medical building attached to the hospital where Sawyer died. One day Evan was going instead of me. He had not been there yet so he asked me to clarify which building. There are a lot of medical buildings in that area so I tried my best to explain but was not making any progress. Finally, I said “remember the turn around where we waited the night Sawyer died?” He got it – and knew exactly where to go for the appointment.
If I adjust this conversation slightly in the future instead of giving directions that involve “where we waited the night Sawyer died” I can say “where we park for the doctor.”
This August Sawyer would have started kindergarten (it would have been Jake’s 10th birthday and the 10th anniversary of his death but I am not going to think about that today). Last week was kindergarten round-up. Sawyer was not there. He will not be there on the first day of school. I am trying to adjust my thinking but I am still working on the fine tuning.
my updated new normal
April 2, 2015 at 11:12 pm | Posted in Grief, Love | 5 CommentsTags: death of a baby, new not so normal, parenthood, post traumatic stress disorder, thoughts
I am still working on my spring resolutions but sometimes while I am busy focusing on the present, the past sneaks in. I have recently realized that the past is part of my new normal. People who meet our family now may or might not know that Jake and Sawyer existed. If they are people who we see regularly or the twins play with I am never quite sure if they know. The twins could have spoken about their brothers. Someone else could have told them. Or maybe they are a neighbor who saw the ambulance and police at our house that awful night that Sawyer died.
I have found myself telling those people – the friends and acquaintances – about our other 2 children. It feels like the right thing to do. No more guess work. No more pretending. Once I have shared Jake and Sawyer’s story I can be a better mom to all 4 of our children.
New Beginnings
March 20, 2015 at 4:44 pm | Posted in Grief | 7 CommentsTags: new not so normal
Today is the first day of spring. I know that resolutions are usually made at New Years but I have a few I would like to make right now. I am going to try to do the following:
1. Focus on the present
2. Not to concentrate on things which are out of my control
3. Look for happiness
i hope someone finds a cure for cancer
March 2, 2015 at 9:51 pm | Posted in Death, Grief, life after loss, Love | 9 CommentsTags: cancer, dark days, death, family, life after loss, new not so normal, Sad, thoughts
Not too long after Sawyer died, the spouses of 2 of my cousins were diagnosed with cancer. One lost her battle 2 years ago and the other lost her battle this past weekend. Having lived through Jake and Sawyer’s deaths, you would think handling death would somehow be easier (or at least not so damn hard). I feel like I should have some wise words – or some magic way to protect others from living without their loved ones. I am just not sure such magic exists. Rationally, I know that death is part of life and that we will all die at some point but dealing with it is not easy. Maybe it is not supposed to be easy. If it were easy than it would mean we did not care for or love the person.
The cousin’s wife who died recently was only in her forties and they have young children. It is not fair that their children have to grow up without their mother. I know, no one ever promised that life would be fair – but I wish it could be (even if only for a little while).
almost (but not really) fun(ny) Friday & an idea
January 30, 2015 at 5:40 pm | Posted in Death, Grief | 4 CommentsTags: dark days, death of a baby, hope, new not so normal, perspective, thoughts
If you have ever talked to me or read this blog you know that getting Jake and Sawyer’s headstones correct has not been easy. In fact we have yet to accomplish it. So this week when the incredibly nice lady from the cemetery called no one should have been surprised that the new headstones arrived and they are not right. In fact she did not call Evan until she had already sent them back to the manufacturer. When Evan called to tell me the news, it made my head hurt but I also kind of felt like laughing . . .which stage of grief have I entered into now?
On a completely unrelated note (or maybe it is related after all because it is all out of my control!) I feel like the world is falling apart. The Middle East, school shootings, starving children – all so out of my control (kind of like the headstones – the deaths of Jake and Sawyer). It makes me feel very helpless. I want to be able to do something.
Awhile ago Evan thought up/or read about an idea to help the homeless. Here in Atlanta, we spend A LOT of time driving around. At stop lights there are often homeless people asking for money.
Evan, the twins and I put together bags with the following items:
Tissues
Band aids
Hand sanitizer
Socks
Peanut butter packs
Granola/protein bars
Water
Evan and I leave the bags in our cars. When we see a homeless person we give them a bag.
It may not solve the problems in the Middle East or get us any closer to knowing Sawyer’s cause of death but it is at least doing something.
baby steps
January 28, 2015 at 7:36 pm | Posted in Grief | 13 CommentsTags: death of a baby, gratitude, life after loss, new not so normal, perspective, post traumatic stress disorder
The other day I was alone with a baby. I have not been alone with a baby since my days with Sawyer.
Our neighbor’s baby boy had heart surgery the first week of January. He is home now and doing great. I offered to help. The mom asked if i could stay with the baby while she picked up her other sons from preschool. As she placed the baby in my arms I silently told myself “I can do this.” I held him the entire time his mom was gone and I watched his every breath. He might have almost smiled at me. My neighbor came home, I placed him back in her arms and agreed to come watch him another day. I did it!
my rainbow catcher
January 16, 2015 at 4:44 pm | Posted in Grief | 4 CommentsTags: hope, new not so normal, rainbows, thoughts
Some days it is hard to find rainbows. I wanted to share the one we found today with you all.
Missing Sawyer (today and always)
December 30, 2014 at 11:18 pm | Posted in Death, Grief, Love, Sawyer | 11 CommentsTags: anniversaries, death of a baby, deathiversary, life after loss, new not so normal, Sawyer, thoughts, yahrzeit
Sawyer,
No matter what calendar I look at or how I calculate it you have now been gone for 5 years. According to the secular/American calendar Friday was your deathiversary. The Jewish calendar says that tonight starts your yahrzeit.
I have run out of calendars and calculations that allow me to avoid the 5th anniversary of your death. Over the years I have tried to outrun my feelings by being ridiculously busy. I have tried going away and staying home. It does not make a difference, no matter where I am or how busy I might be you are always with me. And so are my feelings. . .
I am in disbelief that you are dead and that it has been 5 years since we last held you. I am angry that you are not here with us. I am frustrated that we may never know the cause of your death. I am heartbroken that your father and I can no longer take care of you and watch you grow up with your older brother and sister.
I love you and miss you.
getting through the days
December 22, 2014 at 9:58 pm | Posted in Grief, life after loss, Love, Sawyer | 2 CommentsTags: dark days, death of a baby, Hanukkah, holidays, life after loss, Maccabeats, new not so normal, six13, smile, thoughts
Holidays are here and the anniversary of Sawyer’s death is this week no matter how much I will it not to happen. I cannot change the fact that he is dead. I want to share a few videos that are helping me get through the days (sometimes even with a smile).
P.S. Neis means miracle.
One of my thoughtful sister in-laws sent me this one last week. You may have seen it already but I wanted to share just in case you missed it. . .
I hope these make you smile too.
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A Mourning Mom 