No matter the circumstance, saying goodbye to a child is the worst possible thing a parent can do. Saying goodbye can mean many things. Some children are buried, some cremated, and in some cases, unfortunately never found.

We visit their grave, their memorial or a special place in our home where we display pictures, trinkets, ashes as a way to pay respect; to pause to remember; to say “I miss you”.

We say their name to keep them alive in our hearts and minds. The pain of loss is so great, but it is far greater to forget because they are not with us in the present.

We say their name to validate their existence to those who never knew them. To remind us that we had a life before now where our child lived and walked this earth with us. That we had a part in their creation and birth. Our lives forever changed in their birth and in their death.

We go through their things to “feel” their presence. What they wore, what they drew or wrote. Their personal belongings. What they read or created for school. Photos and videos to remember they did exist. Not just in our memories, but they truly lived with us on this earth.

We say their name because silence is death itself, over and over again.

Say their name.

Brittany.

Until next time,

Mal