I am inspired today by a site I found on Facebook
that creates awareness for children and teens who
are living through grief experiences.I felt a sense of
outreach that made me want to share a brief post about
something I have had to work through for myself as a
parent of children who have loved, lost, mourned and
grieved.
When the topics of youth in grief crossed my feed today,
It opened my own path to healing some of the regrets I have
had thru my own past in grief experiences.I wish I knew then
what I know now.But that's not how life always works.
When my little girl lost her Father when she was four,
I think I took her grief for granted because she was so
seemingly okay after a few days,I assumed she was able
to accept things quickly.I didn't know it then,but I was
so wrong.I thought I was there for her.I listened we cried.
But the seeds of loss are planted very deeply.And can so
often grow deeper over time when not faced and nurtured.
Years later,my Mother who was very close to both of my
kids,passed away suddenly.I was traumatized spiritually.
My grief purely selfish. I isolated and almost fell into a full
blown depression.And all the while,my two beautiful kids
who were at the ages of 8 and 12,grieved silently after the
memorial was long over.And the days of their own grief were
left lonely because they watched me mourn the loss of my
Mother.Neither confronted me with their heartaches.They
kept it to themselves.And to this day I wish I would have been
far more aware of their youthful tender hearts - that were broken.
It took me a long time to recognize my children's grief.Even as
they are both now adults.I hope they forgive me for my lack of
awareness then.And appreciate how much I have now for them.
Because it was my children who inspired me and encouraged me
to want to face all I could , so I could be there for them again.
~
Today I encourage anyone with children and teens in their lives
who have experienced lost,to take the time to reconnect with them
and ask them how they are doing.They may not always understand
their feelings sometimes but if they know someone cares to ask - it
can make a huge impression on them still feeling acknowledged.And
cared for.
http://www.facebook.com/ChildrensGriefAwarenessDay
