Grief is isolating.
Even in our immediate family, differing grief styles, personalities and gender can separate us from one another in our sorrow.
And out in the world, well-THAT separation is as long and tall as the Great Wall of China.
But I’m here to tell you that you are NOT alone.
I felt so very alone after Dominic ran ahead to heaven. I only knew a couple of bereaved parents and their losses were many, many years prior to mine so they were at a different place. Although they reached out, I didn’t have the courage or words to access their wisdom.
I live in a very small community and though I expanded my search to the nearby larger cities, there were only two grief groups I could find and neither exclusive to child loss.
In addition, I wanted a group founded on and looking toward the promises of God in Christ. I was already discouraged, disheartened and on the verge of hopelessness-I couldn’t bear to have that part of my experience reinforced without the counterbalance of hope in Jesus.
I read, read, read.
And those books helped so much. But they still lacked the give and take I needed. I longed for a safe space to share my heart and have others share theirs. I wanted to be able to ask questions and hear how other bereaved parents handled similar feelings, fears and situations.
I needed community.
It was 17 long months before I found it through While We’re Waiting support group for bereaved parents.
What a breath of fresh air!
Even though the closed group is peopled by broken hearts there is understanding and compassion and HOPE. Those further along in this journey speak courage to the hearts freshly shattered. Tender, vulnerable moms and dads know that HERE they are SAFE.
Last week I attended and spoke at the Through This Valley conference for bereaved parents held near the While We’re Waiting Refuge.
I got to meet some of the very special people who have helped me on this journey. It was a preview of Heaven-hearts united in love for one another and love for our Savior.
Lots and lots of tears. But lots and lots of hugs. Lots and lots of sorrow over missing our children. But lots and lots of joyful anticipation that we WILL be reunited.
You are NOT alone, dear heart.
There is a community of parents waiting to embrace you.
None of us would have chosen this painful path yet we choose to walk together on it.
Come, join hands with others who will speak courage to your heart.
