good bye

photo by gary gross

I have been thinking a lot about people from past decades who lost babies and were never given the opportunity to meet them. Thankfully it has now been recognised that seeing your baby, naming them, holding their precious body and photographing them is an essential part of the healing process and letting go. I am so grateful to the midwives who led us through this most difficult time and treated us with the utmost respect. We spent time together as a family for a brief moment, we watched the sun go down and quietly held Sunday.

'One can only say good bye once one has been able to say hello.' 

I respectfully take this moment to contemplate all those who have suffered silently with the loss of a child. My heart goes out to people who have not been given an opportunity to say good bye. There is a great need in our society to open up dialogue in these circumstances and support each other in difficult and often misunderstood situations. People tend to shy away from discussions about death and grief but it is human connection and shared grief that can help mend a tear in the heart.