Finding Gratitude

My first post for this bereaved parents blog is one of gratitude. Being grateful might not be something you would associate with being a bereaved parent, but I am truly grateful for all the parents & grandparents who walked this arduous journey along side of us and offered us their wisdom, compassion & understanding at a time when my husband & I needed it most. A unique bond was formed between so many of us & I am truly grateful for their friendships & guidance!

Their strong desire to honor their children & willingness to help others inspired me to do the same and to become a chapter leader for Bereaved Parents of the USA. I was drawn to the honesty that was shared among us; it was a place where the walls came down, tears were shed, fears were expressed & hugs were offered.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

My prayer is this blog will offer you the encouragement you need to keep pushing forward on your journey. Grief is a not an easy road to travel, in fact often times it's debilitating. Our grief is as unique as the relationships we have with our children. So be gentle with yourself, give yourself time to heal and allow the tears to fall, because they are healing your soul. Over time your memories will start to bring more smiles and less tears, but it doesn't happen overnight. It happens by continuously putting one foot in front of the other each day, while focusing on the moment in front of you, not on the future which can be overwhelming to think about.

Friends, I pray God will wrap his comforting arms around you & mend your broken hearts. No matter how brief your child was in your life, their lives mattered because they were loved.

I encourage you to share your child's story with me and how you are honoring them!

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime