Guest Post by Kristyn I found out I was pregnant 6 months after our wedding. As I watched that second little pink line on the pregnancy test get darker and darker, I instantly fell in love with the tiny being inside me. I remember my husband Mark just staring at me as I told him we were having a baby. I jumped up and down, and he sat quietly smiling. … [Read more...]
The Sound of Grief
May 14, 2013 by 6 Comments
Why do my children decide to climb on the outside and restricted area of the McDonalds play place? The one building they purposely invite you to explore winding slides, rope bridges and twisting tunnels is still not enough to keep them from eagerly pushing the boundaries. Amidst the many children who run, jump and scream throughout the play place, I … [Read more...]
Weathering the Storm Together – Marriage after Child Loss
May 7, 2013 by 5 Comments
When I was pregnant with Nora I was worried about how introducing a child into our lives would change the relationship between my husband and me. Nick and I have had a strong loving connection since our first date, after meeting through online dating. We are a perfect match in every way. His calm and cool character balances out my anxious and worried … [Read more...]
First-time Director Sean Hanish Intends to Break the Silence
February 13, 2013 by 4 Comments
Stillbirth. The word may not mean anything to some. On the other hand it means everything to others. The silence of a subject matter rarely discussed is about to be placed front and center if director Sean Hanish has anything to do with it in his new film RETURN TO ZERO. RETURN TO ZERO is based upon the real-life experience of Hanish and his wife. … [Read more...]
Inside the Mind of a Grieving Father Pt. 1
July 31, 2012 by 28 Comments
Women carry the baby. Some for weeks, others for months. They hold them until that final moment. Their emotions are ever-present in the souls of their eyes. Women talk. They write. They find groups. They seek support. But what about the dads in the scenario? The ones who sometimes never get to see, touch or hold their child. These pillars of physical … [Read more...]
Strangers in Grief
July 20, 2012 by 10 Comments
He woke up early and started his day. I struggled most mornings to get out of bed. He picked up the phone to answer with a happy 'hello'. I walked right by and let it ring. He tackled work as if his life depended on it. I let the clean laundry pile up on the couch and didn't care if it made it upstairs into drawers or not. He worked multiple … [Read more...]
Til Death Do Us Part
June 9, 2012 by 22 Comments
Guest Post by Jana It was about 24 hours after our 21 day old was admitted to the hospital. Time was standing still and flying by at the same time. Things were swirling around our heads – thoughts, fears, confusion, exhaustion – it was too much to handle. We sat side by side on the tiny, scratchy sofa in the room forever dubbed the “Oh Sh*t … [Read more...]
There Is No Shame…
June 8, 2012 by 27 Comments
“The death of a child is a strain on anyone.” That’s putting it mildly, I think. While many hear that the divorce rates of couples who suffer the loss of a child are in the 70th, 80th or 90th percentiles, a 2006 study directed by Compassionate Friends found that only 16% of marriages ended as a direct result of or after the loss of a … [Read more...]
Can Marriage Survive the Loss of a Child?
June 3, 2012 by 33 Comments
Guest Post by Paul One of the scariest statistics I read after our daughter was stillborn was that up to 80 percent of marriages end in divorce after the loss of a child. I remember reading this percentage, and then re-reading it, to convince myself that I’d read it correctly. 80 percent?! Was that even possible? Did that mean my wife and I had … [Read more...]
