dermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.
So sorry sir. Continued prayers for you, the families and the first responders.
dermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.
dermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.
dermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.
Thank you for posting...This is so spot on. Lost our nephew to leukemia 3 years ago. And after the initial loss, there is so much support, but the world moves on. The milestones become so key....first holiday without them, a birthday, and of course the anniversary date.Guitarsoup said:
For those that know people that lost someone, one thing you can do right now is set a calendar reminder for some point in the future to check in on them and tell them you love them. Maybe in August give them a call or text. In September, write them a quick note. In July next year as we approach the 1y mark, write them a letter or give them a call.
Right now, they are likely extremely overwhelmed with everything. But the people around them and checking in on them will dissipate as time goes on. That's when it is time to check in again, because there can be such a big crash as the rest of the world starts to go on with their lives, and they still feel the emptiness of loss.
We are coming up on 5 years since my father died, and it was my Aggie family that stepped up (especially Trouble) more than even my own family or my church. The support I received from other Ags really affected me in ways I still can't adequately express my gratitude for.
Somewhere along the way a few months after my dad died, someone shared this with me and it really did help me understand my own grief.
And remember that every year when the rest of the country is celebrating the 4th with cookouts and fireworks, their grief will be raw all over. Try to think of a way to support them. Now's a good time to set a reminder, because they will need that call or text or letter really bad in a few weeks or months and every 4th of July.
.BaileyDane said:
This is wonderful advice. We lost our 8 year old daughter over 20 years ago, and I agree with all of this.
I'd like to offer some additional suggestions for anyone who is already friends with a family that is grieving a child.
Long term support parent support: The principal at our daughter's elementary school sent a birthday card every year on our sweet girl's birthday. She let us know our daughter continued to be thought of and prayed for as the years passed. I can't tell you what it meant to get that card every year. Consider putting that birthday on your calendar and reaching out.
Another kindness that meant a lot to us was friends and family that journaled about a favorite memory. You'll never forget your child, but stories help preserve little details to enjoy in the years to come.
Long term sibling support: Our grief counselor taught us that kids grieve very differently than adults. They are more in the moment. They aren't afraid to feel joy when they're joyful and be sad when they're sad. If you host a child that lost a sibling, don't be surprised if that kiddo's emotions cycle pretty fast between happy and sad. On the surface it may not seem to have anything to do with their loss. It might anyway. There's only so much frustration a body can take.
Also, as they get older and hit different stages of development they will start to understand the permanence of death in a new way. When that happens grief hits them afresh. In some ways they go back to square one trying to process the loss. It takes a lot of their emotional bandwidth. They might be developmentally/emotionally behind other kids for quite a long time. Their parents may feel like they're failing. Compassion for siblings is a long term commitment throughout their adolescence.
I get a little nervous about sharing online. Hopefully, this doesn't come across as being about us. Our hearts are breaking for these families. I hope this might be helpful to friends/family as they walk with those that are grieving.
God bless and keep them in his arms.
dermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amendermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.
Thank you for adding additional information. Information like this and the FB post I shared go a long way for those of us that have no experience or any idea what we can do.BaileyDane said:
This is wonderful advice. We lost our 8 year old daughter over 20 years ago, and I agree with all of this.
I'd like to offer some additional suggestions for anyone who is already friends with a family that is grieving a child.
Long term support parent support: The principal at our daughter's elementary school sent a birthday card every year on our sweet girl's birthday. She let us know our daughter continued to be thought of and prayed for as the years passed. I can't tell you what it meant to get that card every year. Consider putting that birthday on your calendar and reaching out.
Another kindness that meant a lot to us was friends and family that journaled about a favorite memory. You'll never forget your child, but stories help preserve little details to enjoy in the years to come.
Long term sibling support: Our grief counselor taught us that kids grieve very differently than adults. They are more in the moment. They aren't afraid to feel joy when they're joyful and be sad when they're sad. If you host a child that lost a sibling, don't be surprised if that kiddo's emotions cycle pretty fast between happy and sad. On the surface it may not seem to have anything to do with their loss. It might anyway. There's only so much frustration a body can take.
Also, as they get older and hit different stages of development they will start to understand the permanence of death in a new way. When that happens grief hits them afresh. In some ways they go back to square one trying to process the loss. It takes a lot of their emotional bandwidth. They might be developmentally/emotionally behind other kids for quite a long time. Their parents may feel like they're failing. Compassion for siblings is a long term commitment throughout their adolescence.
I get a little nervous about sharing online. Hopefully, this doesn't come across as being about us. Our hearts are breaking for these families. I hope this might be helpful to friends/family as they walk with those that are grieving.
God bless and keep them in his arms.
Our prayers are with your entire extended family. Hard news to receive but necessary to move forward.dermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.
txags92 said:
Dermdoc,
I am so sorry for your loss and just gutted by the whole thought of what you and your family have endured. I came across this instagram account the other day and being a baseball fan, I hope it resonates with you. The guy takes photos of players at all levels rounding third and coming into home after hitting walkoff home runs, because he feels like the images represent what it will feel like to enter heaven. I hope that Jesus and all of the angels are waiting there at home to welcome Mary Grace across the plate.
https://instagr.am/p/DEE_2SWxcUy
May her family find peace now that she can be laid to rest.dermdoc said:
So supposedly they have found Mary Grace's body. Which is good for closure. Thank y'all so much.