Go ahead, unfriend me.
Don’t think I won’t notice.
I’ve seen your posts too, the ones that give platitudes like, “Avoid negative people,” and, “Do not allow toxic people to turn you into one of them.”
I know if I were to confront you, you’d say something about how you need to take time for yourself.
How dealing with me is exhausting and about how my grief is just too draining right now.
I know you’ll say something about how it has already been six months, or a year, or whatever since my child died.
How you think I’m just not coming to terms with it.
So do it.
Unfriend me.
Dealing With Ignorance After Pregnancy Loss
Grief lasts far longer than you anticipate. Some would argue it even lasts a lifetime.
I know I’m not as happy as I used to be.
I know I talk about my child a lot, and that it makes people really uncomfortable.
I can see your reaction, how you look away, try to change the subject and avoid looking at me.
But what I need you to understand is that this is NORMAL.
Read that again: N-O-R-M-A-L.
The space in my heart that my child takes is still empty and always will be.
Having another baby won’t solve my problem.
Whatever I find that heals me, and it is different for every person, I guarantee it won’t be on your timetable.
Do you really want to be a positive person?
Do you really want to make a difference in this world for good?
Then stop running from ‘negative people.’
Don’t respond with platitudes or cutesy sayings that fit in a meme.
Instead, try giving more hugs.
When I’m sad, hold me, pass me some tissues.
Be a shoulder to cry on.
It isn’t your job to ‘fix’ me or to make me laugh again.
The only thing you need to do is be with me in that moment and know that when I am ready to laugh again, I will.
On Parenting After Loss: My Truth
If you can’t bring yourself to just be with me, then unfriend me.
I don’t need negative people in my life either.
——-
Photo by Igor Starkov on Unsplash
Amanda Ross-White is the proud mother of four beautiful children, including her twin boys Nate and Sam, who were stillborn in 2007. She is eternally grateful to watch her rainbow children, daughter Rebecca and son Alex, grow around her. She is also the author of Joy at the End of the Rainbow: A Guide to Pregnancy After a Loss, which won second place in the American Journal of Nursing’s Book of the Year Awards (Consumer Health).
It really is amazing how some people expect you to move on right away. I am a grandma whose beautiful granddaughter was stillborn in May. No problems during pregnancy and they have two other beautiful daughters. It was such a shock to all of us. I’m still grieving over this precious baby. Take your time. However long it takes!! Hugs!!
I agree everyone thinks you should just get on with your life the way it was before your daughter died or your son or your sister who you’ve known your whole life I know because I use to be one of those people so thank you Teanna Nicholson we may not cry everyday but don’t think we don’t think about them or miss them everyday love you