This is a little late, but this past Sunday was Bereaved Mother’s Day and with Mother’s Day coming up, I’ve had this on my heart even more.
This week has been a blur and it’s only Wednesday. With Andrew turning 3, work, and walking through the weight of my grandfathers funeral. It’s had sweet moments and heavy ones all at once.
But I didn’t want this week to pass without taking a moment to recognize the moms whose arms are empty or not as full as they should be.
The ones who should be celebrating with their babies here, but instead carry them in their hearts. If that’s you… you are not alone, I see you and I remember with you. You are still a mother.
I’m especially thinking of all of these mamas as Mother’s Day approaches. I know it can be such a hard, complicated day. A day that can be painful and sometimes you don't know how to feel or where you fit. Remember even if your little one/s are not here you are still a mom and the best mama they could ever have.
Losing a child changes everything. It’s not something you move on from, it’s something you carry. And some days feel heavier than others. You carry a pain and weight that is invisible to most others and it can make you feel so alone.
One small thing I’ve been working on the past couple of years, when I’m able, is putting together little care packages for grieving parents. They include things that brought me comfort in my own grief… books that helped me feel less alone, custom jewelry with the babys name, stickers, stuffed animals with dates and names, simple artwork, shadow boxes and line drawings.
They’re not big or extravagant, but they come from someone who understands. Many things I made myself but others (engraved necklaces and embroidered stuffed animals) I get from other small shops.
I want to say thank you so much to everyone who purchases stickers from my shop, 10% of those sales go towards purchasing the materials to make these care packages along with providing other resources for bereaved parents. its because of you I can make more and more of these packages.
I can’t make them as often as I wish, or for as many people as I’d like. I wish I could send one to every parent who has ever had to say goodbye too soon. But when I can, it feels like a small way to honor our daughter, Aveline, and to remind someone else they’re not alone.
The photos below the babies names covered or I just put Aveline name as an example to respect the privacy of the families who these packages went to.
If you’re a bereaved mom this Mother’s Day, I’m thinking about you and praying for you. Your baby/babies matter. Your story matters.
In memory of Aveline
